Abstract:
A method of synchronizing the encryption/decryption functions of an AlphaEta physical-layer encryption or key generation system. The method includes the insertion of a header to indicate the start of encryption after clock-synchronization has been established. The method also allows for a side-channel to signal other useful information, such as a loss-of-syncrhonization signal from Bob or to synchronize a dynamic key change.
Abstract:
There is provided an optical regenerative amplifier for regenerative amplification of a binary phase shift-keying (BPSK) sequence of optical signals having a predetermined time slot between any adjacent signals. The optical regenerative amplifier comprises a first delay interferometer, wherein an input sequence of BPSK signals is split between two arms of an interferometer, a relative delay by the time slot between the adjacent signals is introduced in one of the arms of the interferometer to produce two mutually anti-symmetric trains of amplitude shift-keying (ASK) signals; a discriminative limiting amplifier to amplify the said two trains of anti-symmetric ASK signals, wherein the amplification for the spaces is smaller compared to the amplification for the marks and the amplification for the marks is limiting; and a second delay interferometer, wherein the said two trains of anti-symmetric ASK signals are recombined, delayed, and interfered to reproduce a regeneratively amplified BPSK sequence of signals and to separate noise from the signals.
Abstract:
A source and/or method of generating quantum-correlated and/or entangled photon pairs using parametric fluorescence in a fiber Sagnac loop. The photon pairs are generated in the 1550 nm fiber-optic communication band and detected by a detection system including InGaAs/InP avalanche photodiodes operating in a gated Geiger mode. A generation rate>103 pairs/s is observed, a rate limited only by available detection electronics. The nonclassical nature of the photon correlations in the pairs is demonstrated. This source, given its spectral properties and robustness, is well suited for use in fiber-optic quantum communication and cryptography networks. The detection system also provides high rate of photon counting with negligible after pulsing and associated high quantum efficiency and also low dark count rate.