Transceivers and receivers for quantum key distribution and methods pertaining thereto

US9906311B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC · US

Inventors

• Christopher DeRose · Victor, US
• Mohan Sarovar · Albany, US
• Daniel Beom Soo Soh · Pleasanton, US
• Anthony L. Lentine · McLeansboro, US
• Paul Davids · Albuquerque, US
• Ryan Camacho · Albuquerque, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 23, 2016
• Grant date: Feb 27, 2018
• Expiry date: Mar 23, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04L9/0852
• WIPO field: Telecommunications
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Various technologies for performing continuous-variable (CV) and discrete-variable (DV) quantum key distribution (QKD) with integrated electro-optical circuits are described herein. An integrated DV-QKD system uses Mach-Zehnder modulators to modulate a polarization of photons at a transmitter and select a photon polarization measurement basis at a receiver. An integrated CV-QKD system uses wavelength division multiplexing to send and receive amplitude-modulated and phase-modulated optical signals with a local oscillator signal while maintaining phase coherence between the modulated signals and the local oscillator signal.