System and method for wave vector multiplexed laser communication

US7639948B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The MITRE Corporation · US

Inventors

• Gerald N. Gilbert · McLean, US
• Michael D. Hamrick · Eatontown, US
• Martin A. Jaspan · Somerville, US
• Jayson L. Cohen · Ann Arbor, US
• Anthony Donadio · Matawan, US
• Alexander J. Dufort · Clark, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 27, 2005
• Grant date: Dec 29, 2009
• Expiry date: Feb 7, 2026

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04J14/02
• WIPO field: Telecommunications
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Wave vector division multiplexing (“WVDM”) is a method of free-space multiplexing for optical communications. In WVDM, wave vectors of individual laser beams are manipulated so that each individual laser beam has a unique wave vector. These individual laser beams are multiplexed into an aggregate beam, which is transmitted to a receiver. The receiver separates the individual laser beams on the basis of their unique wave vectors. One area where WVDM is useful is in quantum cryptography. WVDM can also be combined with traditional wavelength division multiplexing (“WDM”) to increase throughput even further.