Free-space Communication Research Articles

Free-Space Optical Data Receivers with Avalanche Detectors for Satellite Downlinks Regarding Background Light.

Data receiving frontends using avalanche photodiodes are used in optical free-space communications for their effective sensitivity, large detection area, and uncomplex operation. Precise control of the high voltage necessary to trigger the avalanche effect inside the photodiode depends on the semiconductor’s excess noise factor, temperature, received signal power, background light, and also the subsequent thermal noise behavior of the transimpedance amplifier. Several prerequisites must be regarded and are explained in this document. We focus on the application of using avalanche photodiodes as data receivers for the on/off-keying of modulated bit streams with a 50% duty cycle. Also, experimental verification of the performance of the receiver with background light is demonstrated.

High-sensitivity multi-channel DPSK system with real-time phase lock controller for free-space optical communication

To overcome the power jitters in satellite-to-ground communications caused by atmospheric turbulence, a type of DPSK free-space communication system, assisted by a self-designed real-time phase lock controller, has been established. The system can effectively compensate for power swings in communication links and hence achieve high sensitivity. The wavelength division multiplexing technique is applied to a four-channel DPSK system to provide greater link capacity. With the data rate of a single channel as 2.5 Gbps and unencoded BER as 1 × 10–3, reception sensitivity has been obtained at −53.58 dBm (13.69 photons/bit), −53.59 dBm (13.66 photons/bit), −53.61 dBm (13.59 photons/bit), and −53.63 dBm (13.53 photons/bit) for each independent channel, respectively. The gap between our sensitivity result and the theoretical limit has narrowed to about −3.5 dB. Simultaneously, the DPSK receiver, with our self-designed phase lock controller, has stabilized reception of optical power fluctuations that range from 0 to 40 dB. Additionally, the impact of a four-wave mixing effect on multi-channel system performance has been investigated in detail. Our experimental results present a novel solution for the superior performance of free-space communication links.

Quantum key Distribution with a Hand-Held Sender Unit

Quantum key distribution (QKD) is a crucial component for truly secure communication, which enables to analyze leakage of information due to eavesdropper attacks. While impressive progress was made in the field of long-distance implementations, user-oriented applications involving short-distance links have mostly remained overlooked. Recent technological advances in integrated photonics now enable developments towards QKD also for existing hand-held communication platforms. In this work we report on the design and evaluation of a hand-held free-space QKD system including a micro-optics based sender unit. This system implements the BB84-protocol employing polarization-encoded faint laser pulses at a rate of 100 MHz. Unidirectional beam tracking and live reference-frame alignment systems at the receiver side enable a stable operation over tens of seconds when aiming the portable transmitter to the receiver input by hand from a distance of about half a meter. The user-friendliness of our system was confirmed by successful key exchanges performed by different untrained users with an average link efficiency of about 20 % relative to the case of the transmitter being stationarily mounted and aligned. In these tests we achieve an average quantum bit error ratio (QBER) of 2.4 % and asymptotic secret key rates ranging from 4.0 kbps to 15.3 kbps. Given its compactness, the versatile sender optics is also well suited for integration into other free-space communication systems enabling QKD over any distance.

1600 Gbps PAM-4 FSO link enabled using OFCL-based WDM and OAM-multiplexing techniques

The twisted light beams carry orbital angular momentum (OAM), which acts as additional degrees of freedom. In this work, we have proposed a free space optics (FSO) communication system employing wavelength division multiplexing (WDM), OAM multiplexing, and four-level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM-4) techniques. A 1600 Gbps data has been successfully transmitted over free space in different environmental scenarios such as clear weather, weak turbulence, moderate turbulence, and strong turbulence. The effects of atmospheric turbulence on the PAM-4 signals carrying OAM modes are examined theoretically and simulated for the first time. Optical frequency comb lines are generated by employing a single laser source and used as a broadband laser source. A sufficient low power penalty of 1.489 dB at a BER value ∼ 10-9 along with clear eye diagrams has been achieved for the proposed system. Thus, the proposed 1600 Gbps PAM-4, OAM, and WDM-based system can be a promising solution for the next generation of long-reach and high-data-rate free-space communication.

Transition metal impurities in silicon: computational search for a semiconductor qubit

Semiconductors offer a promising platform for physical implementation of qubits, but their broad adoption is presently hindered by limited scalability and/or very low operating temperatures. Learning from the nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond, our goal is to find equivalent optically active point defect centers in crystalline silicon, which could be advantageous for their scalability and integration with classical devices. Transition metal (TM) impurities in silicon are common paramagnetic deep defects, but a comprehensive theoretical study of the whole 3d series that considers generalized Koopmans’ condition is missing. We apply the HSE06(+U) method to examine their potential as optically active spin qubits and identify seven TM impurities that have optically allowed triplet–triplet transitions within the silicon band gap. These results provide the first step toward silicon-based qubits with higher operating temperatures for quantum sensing. Additionally, these point defects could lead to spin-photon interfaces in silicon-based qubits and devices for mid-infrared free-space communications.

Circular Optical Phased Array with Large Steering Range and High Resolution.

Light detection and ranging systems based on optical phased arrays and integrated silicon photonics have sparked a surge of applications over the recent years. This includes applications in sensing, free-space communications, or autonomous vehicles, to name a few. Herein, we report a design of two-dimensional optical phased arrays, which are arranged in a grid of concentric rings. We numerically investigate two designs composed of 110 and 820 elements, respectively. Both single-wavelength (1550 nm) and broadband multi-wavelength (1535 nm to 1565 nm) operations are studied. The proposed phased arrays enable free-space beam steering, offering improved performance with narrow beam divergences of only 0.5° and 0.22° for the 110-element and 820-element arrays, respectively, with a main-to-sidelobe suppression ratio higher than 10 dB. The circular array topology also allows large element spacing far beyond the sub-wavelength-scaled limits that are present in one-dimensional linear or two-dimensional rectangular arrays. Under a single-wavelength operation, a solid-angle steering between 0.21π sr and 0.51π sr is obtained for 110- and 820-element arrays, respectively, while the beam steering spans the range of 0.24π sr and 0.57π sr for a multi-wavelength operation. This work opens new opportunities for future optical phased arrays in on-chip photonic applications, in which fast, high-resolution, and broadband beam steering is necessary.

Three-terminal germanium-on-silicon avalanche photodiode with extended p-charge layer for dark current reduction

Germanium-on-silicon (Ge-on-Si) avalanche photodiodes (APDs) are widely used in near-infrared detection, laser ranging, free space communication, quantum communication, and other fields. However, the existence of lattice defects at the Ge/Si interface causes a high dark current in the Ge-on-Si APD, degrading the device sensitivity and also increasing energy consumption in integrated circuits. In this work, we propose a novel surface illuminated Ge-on-Si APD architecture with three terminals. Besides two electrodes on Si substrates, a third electrode is designed for Ge to regulate the control current and bandwidth, achieving multiple outputs of a single device and reducing the dark current of the device. When the voltage on Ge is − 27.5 V , the proposed device achieves a dark current of 100 nA, responsivity of 9.97 A/W at − 40 dBm input laser power at 1550 nm, and optimal bandwidth of 142 MHz. The low dark current and improved responsivity can meet the requirements of autonomous driving and other applications demanding weak light detection.

High-speed and high-contrast two-channel all-optical modulator based on solution-processed CdSe/ZnS quantum dots

Recently, all-optical modulators are potentially the most promising candidate to achieve high-bit rate modulation in high-speed all-optical communication technologies and signal processing. In this study, a two-channel all-optical modulator based on a solution-processed quantum dot structure is introduced for two sizes of quantum dots to operate at two wavelengths of MIR spectra (3 µm and 5 µm). To perform numerical and theoretical analysis and evaluate the optical behavior of the proposed all-optical modulator, the coupled rate and propagation equations have been solved by considering homogeneous and inhomogeneous broadening effects. The modulation depth at the 50 GHz frequency and 3 mW probe power is attained, about 94% for channel-1 with the wavelength of 559 nm at 300 Wcm−2 pump power density as well as approximately 83.5% for channel-2 with the wavelength of 619 nm at 500 Wcm−2 pump power density. The introduced two-channel all-optical modulator can operate simultaneously at two wavelengths during the modulation process in which information could be transmitted through both signals from the control light. This approach can present the practical device as a high-contrast and high-speed two-channel all-optical modulator with a high modulation depth in numerous applications such as thermal imaging in night vision cameras, wavelength de-multiplexing, signal processing, free-space communication.

Mode power spectrum for Laguerre-Gauss beams in Kolmogorov turbulence.

We analyze the effects of atmospheric turbulence on the mode power spectrum of beams carrying orbital angular momentum represented by Laguerre-Gauss (LG) modes. For an input (0, m) LG mode, we calculate the power transferred to other modes (0, m') due to turbulence. The analysis is validated against split-step beam propagation simulations and shows agreement into the strong turbulence regime. These results have applications for the design and characterization of free-space laser communication systems.

Peculiarities of the Gaussian beam transformation in the optical scheme with an axicon and a biaxial crystal

The transformation of a conical-type light beam by a biaxial crystal during propagation along one of its optical axes is herein investigated. The beam is formed by an axicon from the circularly polarized Gaussian input field. Depending on the position of the axicon either a Bessel beam or a combination of Bessel and conical beams falls on the crystal. The conversion coefficient from a zero-order Bessel beam to a first-order beam with phase dislocation is calculated. We show that if the angle of the beam cone and its diameter are large enough, then it is transformed into a field that is a first-order BesselGaussian beam with high accuracy. At the same time the conversion coefficient is close to 1. The case of a small cone angle of an incident Bessel beam is also investigated. In this case the efficiency of transformation significantly depends on the type of the spatial spectrum. At a small cone angle, the shape of the spatial spectrum is determined by the diameter of the incident Gaussian beam. Namely, as the diameter decreases, the beam spectrum changes from annular to close to Gaussian, passing through an intermediate form in the form of a superposition of these two profiles. The influence of the spatial spectrum is the conversion coefficient decreasing with a decrease of the of the ring component contribution to the spectrum. In this case, the conversion coefficient is always higher than for a scheme without an axicon when a Gaussian beam falls on the crystal. Consequently, the introduction of even a small conicity into the beam makes it possible to increase the field transformation coefficient. It can be implemented, for example, using a scheme with two axicons having close angles of a ray deflection. The results obtained are also of practical interest, in particular, for the development of conical-type laser emitters with a small cone angle for long-range reconnaissance and optical communication in free space.

Monte Carlo Simulation of High-Speed MWIR HgCdTe e-APD

High-speed avalanche photodiodes (APDs) have attracted great interest for their potential applications in weak signal detection and free-space communication. In this article, the bandwidth characteristics of mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) Hg <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">0.7</sub> Cd <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">0.3</sub> Te electron-APDs (e-APDs) are investigated by the Monte Carlo method. The simulated gain, excess noise, and carrier velocity agree well with the previously reported experimental data. Moreover, the transport process of photogenerated carriers is described in detail. Meanwhile, the effects of different absorption region thickness as well as the incident wavelengths on the device bandwidth are studied, and the trend of the bandwidth with bias voltage is explained. Finally, a structure with gradient <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${p}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> -region is proposed to further increase the bandwidth.

Utilizing multiplexing of structured THz beams carrying orbital-angular-momentum for high-capacity communications.

Structured electromagnetic (EM) waves have been explored in various frequency regimes to enhance the capacity of communication systems by multiplexing multiple co-propagating beams with mutually orthogonal spatial modal structures (i.e., mode-division multiplexing). Such structured EM waves include beams carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM). An area of increased recent interest is the use of terahertz (THz) beams for free-space communications, which tends to have: (a) larger bandwidth and lower beam divergence than millimeter-waves, and (b) lower interaction with matter conditions than optical waves. Here, we explore the multiplexing of THz OAM beams for high-capacity communications. Specifically, we experimentally demonstrate communication systems with two multiplexed THz OAM beams at a carrier frequency of 0.3 THz. We achieve a 60-Gbit/s quadrature-phase-shift-keying (QPSK) and a 24-Gbit/s 16 quadrature amplitude modulation (16-QAM) data transmission with bit-error rates below 3.8 × 10-3. In addition, to show the compatibility of different multiplexing approaches (e.g., polarization-, frequency-, and mode-division multiplexing), we demonstrate an 80-Gbit/s QPSK THz communication link by multiplexing 8 data channels at 2 polarizations, 2 frequencies, and 2 OAM modes.

Watt-level beam combined diode laser systems in a chip-scale hybrid photonic platform.

Scaling up the power of on-chip diode lasers is of great importance for many emerging applications, such as integrated nonlinear optics, remote sensing, free space communication, infrared countermeasure, and light detection and ranging (LIDAR). In this manuscript, we introduce and demonstrate photonic integrated circuits (PIC) based beam combining methods to create power scalable, integrated direct diode laser systems. Traditional laser beam combining, including coherent beam combining (CBC) and wavelength beam combining (WBC), usually requires free space or fiber optical components, leading to bulky and complex systems. Instead, PIC based beam combining methods can greatly reduce the cost, size, weight, and power consumption (CSWaP) of next generation direct diode laser systems. We experimentally demonstrate four channel chip-scale CBC and WBC with watt-level on-chip power by using III/V-Si3N4 hybrid integration. Our results show that PIC based beam combining is very suitable for power scaling in a chip-scale platform.

Double-frequency grating shearing interferometer with built-in phase-shifting function for robust multi-level phase retrieval.

In this paper, we propose and demonstrate a novel interferometer and signal process to retrieve two-dimensional signals with multilevel phases. The interferometer is based on a shearing interferometry with double-frequency grating, and phase-shifting interferometry is derived as a built-in function of the lateral displacement of the grating. The interferometer not only retrieves the multilevel phase signals but also eliminates slow-varying phase errors wherever they occur. Owing to the common path algorithm, the new interferometer is more robust in dynamic circumstances for optical testing and data processing. We propose a pre-integral signal process for two-dimensional (2D) data processing to prevent post-phase-integral due to shearing interferometry. The simulation and experiment showed that the proposed interferometer with a pre-integral process has various advantages in signal processing for multilevel phase retrieval, and will be useful for higher data rates in optical data storage and free-space communication.

Multi-target free-space laser communication system based on a rotating double prism with an RF signal beacon.

Traditional free-space laser communication systems use beacon and signal lights for target detection and alignment. However, these approaches are inaccurate owing to signal dispersion errors. To overcome this difficulty, we propose a new method using transient radio frequency (RF) signals to achieve highly accurate target detection and alignment. To validate the feasibility of our proposed method, we built an experimental multi-target space-laser communication system based on a rotating double prism and applied it to achieve multi-target space-laser communication. The results demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed method to capture multi-target positions in the field of view using wireless RF signals and a rotating double prism. In addition, we show that the system is capable of rapid scanning and accurate pointing as well as establishing a one-way stable communication with multiple targets. When the target is 36 cm away, the pointing accuracy of the system motor is less than 0.8°, the pointing time is 1.2 s, and the average pointing lateral error is 0.666 mm.

Optical noise in a free-space quantum communications link from natural and nuclear disturbed environments* *This manuscript has been authored in part by UT-Battelle LLC, under contract DE-AC05-00OR22725 with the US Department of Energy (DOE). The US government retains and the publisher, by accepting the article for publication, acknowledges that the US government retains a nonexclusive, paid-up, irrevocable, worldwide license to

Satellite communications at radio frequencies can experience a ‘blackout’ period following the atmospheric detonation of a nuclear weapon. The wavelengths used for free-space quantum communications will not incur the same ‘blackout’ effects from a nuclear detonation, but the optical systems will suffer from a phenomenon called redout. Redout occurs in an optical detector when ambient light scatters into the optical receiver, causing elevated background photon counts in the detector such that background noise overwhelms the signal. In this work, the duration of the redout effect is quantified from a nuclear disturbed environment on a ground-to-space quantum optical link. In addition, we comment on various techniques for reducing ambient and nuclear disturbed background counts in a quantum free-space optical link. For low-altitude nuclear detonations (i.e., under 50 km), the maximum interference time will be less than 1 min. Implementing a telescope, timing gate, and wavelength filter to the detector can reduce the background counts in the detector significantly. Aerosol levels and ground albedo are major contributors to background noise in a ground-to-satellite quantum channel, and ground station location should factor in both variables.

Parallel Coded Optical Vortex Beam Free-Space Communication Based on Single-Photon Detection

A free-space communication scheme is proposed based on orbital angular momentum (OAM) states and pulse position modulation (PPM). It can not only improve the channel capacity, but also be suitable for single-photon detection to realize the communication in the case of ultra-weak light. A parallel coding method is proposed to realize high-capacity and low bit error rate (BER) communication under high background. Theoretical simulation and experimental results show that the scheme can effectively suppress the background noise. The BER is as low as 1.27 × 10 <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$^{-5}$</tex-math></inline-formula> under the condition of 16 OAM states, 16 single-photon detectors (SPDs) coincidence, and the background noise of 10 <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$^{7}$</tex-math></inline-formula> counts per second. The BER performance is an order of magnitude better than the traditional PPM, and the channel capacity is increased by 12 times. This work provides an effective solution for deep space high-speed and low BER communication.

BBM92 quantum key distribution over a free space dusty channel of 200 meters

Free-space quantum communication assumes importance as it is a precursor for satellite-based quantum communication needed for secure key distribution over longer distances. Prepare and measure quantum key distribution (QKD) protocols like BB84 consider the satellite as a trusted device, which is fraught with security threat looking at the current trend for satellite-based optical communication. Therefore, entanglement-based protocols must be preferred, so that one can consider the satellite as an untrusted device. The current work reports the effect of atmospheric aerosols on the key rate obtained with BBM92 QKD protocol, an entanglement-based QKD protocol over 200 m distance, using an indigenous facility developed at Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, India. Our results show that concentration and extinction coefficient of atmospheric aerosols play a major role in influencing the observed sift key rate, and eventually, the secure key rate. Such experiments are important to validate the models to account for the atmospheric effects on the key rates achieved through satellite-based QKD.

Processes of the Reliability and Degradation Mechanism of High-Power Semiconductor Lasers

High-power semiconductor lasers have attracted widespread attention because of their small size, easy modulation, and high conversion efficiency. They play an important role in national economic construction and national defense construction, including free-space communication; industrial processing; and the medical, aerospace, and military fields, as well as other fields. The reliability of high-power semiconductor lasers is the key point of the application system. Higher reliability is sought in the military defense and aerospace fields in particular. Reliability testing and failure analysis help to improve the performance of high-power semiconductor lasers. This article provides a basis for understanding the reliability issues of semiconductor lasers across the whole supply chain. Firstly, it explains the failure modes and causes of failure in high-power semiconductor lasers; this article also summarizes the principles and application status of accelerated aging experiments and lifetime evaluation; it also introduces common techniques used for high-power semiconductor laser failure analysis, such as the electron beam-induced current (EBIC) technique and the optical beam-induced current (OBIC) technique, etc. Finally, methods used to improve the reliability of high-power semiconductor lasers are proposed in terms of the preparation process, reliability screening, and method application.

Bridging the Terahertz Gap: Photonics-Assisted Free-Space Communications From the Submillimeter-Wave to the Mid-Infrared

Since about one and half centuries ago, at the dawn of modern communications, the radio and the optics have been two separate electromagnetic spectrum regions to carry data. Differentiated by their generation&#x002F;detection methods and propagation properties, the two paths have evolved almost independently until today. The optical technologies dominate the long-distance and high-speed terrestrial wireline communications through fiber-optic telecom systems, whereas the radio technologies have mainly dominated the short- to medium-range wireless scenarios. Now, these two separate counterparts are both facing a sign of saturation in their respective roadmap horizons, particularly in the segment of free-space communications. The optical technologies are extending into the mid-wave and long-wave infrared (MWIR and LWIR) regimes to achieve better propagation performance through the dynamic atmospheric channels. Radio technologies strive for higher frequencies like the millimeter-wave (MMW) and sub-terahertz (sub-THz) to gain broader bandwidth. The boundary between the two is becoming blurred and intercrossed. During the past few years, we witnessed technological breakthroughs in free-space transmission supporting very high data rates, many achieved with the assistance of photonics. This paper focuses on such photonics-assisted free-space communication technologies in both the lower and upper sides of the THz gap and provides a detailed review of recent research and development activities on some of the key enabling technologies. Our recent experimental demonstrations of high-speed free-space transmissions in both frequency regions are also presented as examples to show the system requirements for device characteristics and digital signal processing (DSP) performance.