Deep-space Laser Communication Research Articles

Photocount Characteristics of SNSPD for PPM Signals in Deep-Space Laser Communication (Invited)

Photocount Characteristics of SNSPD for PPM Signals in Deep-Space Laser Communication (Invited)

Demonstration of a quantum advantage by a joint detection receiver for optical communication using quantum belief propagation on a trapped-ion device

Demonstrations of quantum advantage have largely focused on computational speedups and on quantum simulation of many-body physics, limited by fidelity and capability of current devices. Discriminating laser-pulse-modulated classical-communication codewords at the minimum allowable probability of error using universal-quantum processing presents a promising parallel direction, one that is of both fundamental importance in quantum state discrimination, as well as of technological relevance in deep-space laser communications. Here we present an experimental realization of a quantum joint detection receiver for binary phase shift keying modulated codewords of a 3-bit linear tree code using a recently-proposed quantum algorithm: belief propagation with quantum messages. The receiver, translated to a quantum circuit, was experimentally implemented on a trapped-ion device -- the recently released Honeywell LT-1.0 system using ${}^{171}Yb+ $ ions, which possesses all-to-all connectivity and mid-circuit measurement capabilities that are essential to this demonstration. We conclusively realize a previously postulated but hitherto not-demonstrated joint quantum detection scheme, and provide an experimental framework that surpasses the quantum limit on the minimum average decoding error probability associated with pulse-by-pulse detection in the low mean photon number limit. The full joint-detection scheme bridges across photonic and trapped-ion based quantum information science, mapping the photonic coherent states of the modulation alphabet onto inner product-preserving states of single-ion qubits. Looking ahead, our work opens new avenues in hybrid realizations of quantum-enhanced receivers with applications in astronomy and emerging space-based platforms.

Deep-space laser communications telescope array based on single photon detector

Deep-space laser communications telescope array based on single photon detector

Research progress of photon response mechanism of superconducting nanowire single photon detector

Superconducting nanowire single photon detector (SNSPD) plays a significant role in plenty of fields such as quantum information, deep space laser communication and lidar, while the mechanism of the photon response process still lacks a recognized theory. It is prerequisite and essential for fabricating high-performance SNSPD to understand in depth and clarify the photon response mechanism of the SNSPD. As mature theories on the SNSPD response progress, hot-spot model and vortex-based model both have their disadvantages: in the former there exists the cut-off wavelength and in the later there is the size effect, so they both need further improving. The Cut-off wavelength means that the detection efficiency of the SNSPD drops to zero with the increase of light wavelength, which is indicated by the hot-spot model but not yet observed in experiment. The size effect implies that the vortex does not exist in the weak link with the width less than 4.41<i>ξ</i>, where <i>ξ</i> is the GL coherence length. Phase slip is responsible for the intrinsic dissipation of superconductors, which promises to expound the SNSPD photon response progress and to establish a complete theory. This paper reviews and discusses the fundamental conception, the development history and the research progress of the hot-spot models, i.e. the vortex-based model and the superconductor phase slips, providing a reference for studying the SNSPD photon response mechanism.

Integrated Multichannel Lithium Niobate Waveguides for Quantum Frequency Conversion

Lithium niobate photonic chip could realize diverse optical engineering for various applications benefiting from its excellent optical performances. In this letter, we demonstrate monolithic photonic chips for multi-channel sum-frequency conversion based on reverse-proton-exchange periodically poled lithium niobate waveguides, with the different channels showing uniform and excellent conversion efficiencies. To obtain a robust device and provide a convenient interface for applications, the integrated chip is fiber coupled with two fiber arrays. The packaged chip then forms the core of a multi-channel up conversion single photon detector. In each channel the input signal interacts with a 1950-nm single frequency pump laser and the sum frequency output is spectrally filtered and detected by a silicon avalanche photodiode. Average detection efficiency (DE) of 23.2 % and noise count rate (NCR) of 557 counts per second (cps) are achieved, with a standard deviation of 2.73 % and 48 cps over the 30 channels, as well as optical isolation (OI) between nearby channels of more than 71 dB, which are excellent for the extensive applications of monolithic photonic chips in fields including deep space laser communication, high-rate quantum key distribution and single-photon imaging.

High Speed Laser Information Transmission Technology of Deep Space Between Moon and Earth

The application of light wave for deep space information transmission will have the advantages of smaller terminal volume,mass and low power consumption under the same data rate,and the receiving sensitivity is high during the transmission process. Because of the narrow beam width,it can make the energy centralized and reach a long transmission distance. Using light wave as the information carrier of deep space exploration will have the advantages that the microwave band does not have. The feasibility of technology is described, and the research status of the moon earth laser information transmission technology is summarized,providing a reference for the development and engineering application of deep space laser communication in China.

Influence mechanism of repetition frequency on pulse position modulation in deep space laser communication

Taking the deep space laser communication as the application background, based on multi-pulse position modulation and differential pulse position modulation, a new differential multi-pulse position modulation (DMPPM) mode is proposed. The DMPPM theory model is set up, and a comparative study and analysis of four modulation schemes of PPM, DPPM, MPPM and DMPPM has been developed. The simulation results show that the repetition rate of the pulse laser has a great influence on the four modulation modes. DMPPM has the characteristics of the smallest average symbol length, the largest average transmitting power, the maximum peak transmitting power, the maximum unit transmission rate, the smallest bandwidth demand and a higher transmission efficiency. The analysis shows that DMPPM is greatly influenced by the repetition frequency of the laser. It is very necessary to improve the repetition rate of the laser under the premise of ensuring the peak power of the pulse laser. DMPPM can become one of the excellent modulation schemes for deep space laser communication.

Model of bit error rate for laser communication based on superconducting nanowire single photon detector

The high-speed deep space communication is one of the key technologies for deep space exploration. Laser communication system equipped with sensitivity of single photon will improve existing deep space communication speed. However, laser communication at single photon level needs to consider not only the effect of transmission environment, but also the performance of used single photon detector and the photon number distribution. As a new single photon detector, superconducting nanowire single photon detector (SNSPD) outperforms the traditional semiconducting SPDs at near infrared wavelengths, and has high detection efficiency, low dark count rate, low timing jitter, high counting rate, etc. The SNSPD can be used for detecting single photons efficiently, rapidly and accurately. In this paper, we introduce the system detection efficiency and dark count rate of SNSPD based on the photoelectric detecting model without considering the effect of atmospheric turbulence, establish the mathematical model of bit error, and put forward the formula of system bit error rate. What should be emphasized is that the bit error rate is an important parameter for measuring the performance of laser communication system. Error is partly from background thermal radiation and circuit electromagnetic interference; in addition, error appears when photons reach the surface of device without being absorbed to successfully produce resistance area or photons are absorbed but there occurs no response. As a result, the calculation of bit error rate includes the whole process of photoelectric conversion. In order to analyze how to affect the size of system bit error rate, first we simulate two factors of the formula, i.e., light intensity and laser pulse repetition frequency. The results show that the light intensity has the greatest influence on error bit rate. With the light intensity increasing from 0.01 to 1000 photon/pulse, the error bit rate significantly decreases from 10-1 to 10-7 level. The influence of laser pulse repetition frequency is restricted by the light intensity, which declines with the increase of pulse repetition frequency. Then we measure the error bit rate experimentally, which validates the simulation model. However, when increasing light intensity or speed, experimental bit error rate is about 10-4 times higher than simulation result. The reason may be that the insufficiency of actual communication modulation extinction ratio of optical signal to the background noise through optical fiber increases the dark count rate. The above model and experimental results could be the foundation of high-speed deep space laser communication such as moon-earth and Mars-earth based on SNSPD.

Development, testing, and initial space qualification of 1.5-μm, high-power (6 W), pulse-position-modulated fiber laser transmitter for deep-space laser communication

We report on the development, testing, and initial space qualification of a 1.5-μm, high-power (6 W), high wall-plug efficiency (∼15%), pulse-position-modulated (PPM), polarization-maintaining, fiber laser transmitter subsystem for deep-space laser communication links. Programmable high-order PPM modulation up to PPM-128 formats, with discrete pulse slots ranging from 0.5 to 8 ns, satisfies variety of link requirements for deep-space laser communication to Mars, asteroids, and other deep-space relay links, as per the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s space laser communication roadmap. We also present initial space qualification results from thermal-vacuum tests, vibration testing, radiation testing, and an overall reliability assessment.

Introduction to the Issue on Enabling Technologies for Digital Optical Communication Systems

This issue aims at providing a diverse coverage of the current state of research in digital optical communication technologies, ranging all the way from deep-space laser communications to terrestrial fiber-optic transport, packet, and access networks to digital optical communications for computer interconnects and on-chip integration.

Interferometric Star Tracking

A new star-tracking technique based on interferometry is described and analyzed in detail. A heuristic comparison is made with traditional star-tracking methods that demonstrates several advantages in the interferometric approach for very high accuracy systems. A detailed error analysis is performed on several versions of the system that use all solid-state detection. One such system is shown to have a potential accuracy of +/-0.01 sec of arc using a small optical system and state-of-the-art components. Applications of the new system in large orbiting astronomical observatories and deep space laser communications systems are also discussed.