Underwater Quantum Research Articles

Passive Continuous Variable Measurement-Device-Independent Quantum Key Distribution Predictable with Machine Learning in Oceanic Turbulence.

Building an underwater quantum network is necessary for various applications such as ocean exploration, environmental monitoring, and national defense. Motivated by characteristics of the oceanic turbulence channel, we suggest a machine learning approach to predicting the channel characteristics of continuous variable (CV) quantum key distribution (QKD) in challenging seawater environments. We consider the passive continuous variable (CV) measurement-device-independent (MDI) QKD in oceanic scenarios, since the passive-state preparation scheme offers simpler linear elements for preparation, resulting in reduced interaction with the practical environment. To provide a practical reference for underwater quantum communications, we suggest a prediction of transmittance for the ocean quantum links with a given neural network as an example of machine learning algorithms. The results have a good consistency with the real data within the allowable error range; this makes the passive CVQKD more promising for commercialization and implementation.

On-demand Single-photon Extraction for Underwater Quantum Communication

On-demand Single-photon Extraction for Underwater Quantum Communication

A Primer on Underwater Quantum Key Distribution

The growing importance of underwater networks (UNs) in mission-critical activities at sea enforces the need for secure underwater communications (UCs). Classical encryption techniques can be used to achieve secure data exchange in UNs. However, the advent of quantum computing will pose threats to classical cryptography, thus challenging UCs. Currently, underwater cryptosystems mostly adopt symmetric ciphers, which are considered computationally quantum robust but pose the challenge of distributing the secret key upfront. Post-quantum public-key (PQPK) protocols promise to overcome the key distribution problem. The security of PQPK protocols, however, only relies on the assumed computational complexity of some underlying mathematical problems. Moreover, the use of resource-hungry PQPK algorithms in resource-constrained environments such as UNs can require nontrivial hardware/software optimization efforts. An alternative approach is underwater quantum key distribution (QKD), which promises unconditional security built upon the physical principles of quantum mechanics (QM). This tutorial provides a basic introduction to free-space underwater QKD (UQKD). At first, the basic concepts of QKD are presented, based on a fully worked out QKD example. A thorough state-of-the-art analysis of UQKD is carried out. The paper subsequently provides a theoretical analysis of the QKD performance through free-space underwater channels and its dependence on the key optical parameters of the system and seawater. Finally, open challenges, points of strength, and perspectives of UQKD are identified and discussed.

Thermal and superthermal noise signals as resources for underwater quantum communication

Quantum technologies have opened new perspectives for enhancing communication speed and security, particularly in challenging underwater environments, where conventional protocols rely on acoustic wave propagation. In this study, we introduce an innovative communication protocol built upon the utilization of mesoscopic twin-beam (TWB) states, entangled in the number of photons, and photon-number-resolving detectors. Our approach involves transmitting information by mixing the part of TWB that propagates through water with two signals having identical mean values but different statistical distributions. Specifically, we explore the advantages and limitations associated with employing pseudothermal states and two distinct types of superthermal states in our communication protocol. Through both theoretical analysis and experimental investigation, we assess the feasibility of accurately discriminating which state has been superimposed onto the TWB by evaluating the noise reduction factor. Our findings demonstrate promising outcomes, suggesting the practical implementation of this protocol in real-world underwater communication scenarios.

Underwater quantum key distribution with continuous-variable via photon additions

Quantum key distribution with continuous-variable (CVQKD) provides an alternative way for the security improvement of underwater optical communication, but facing into the awkward situation of short distance. For this reason, here we exploit photon addition operation at the emitter into enhancing the performance of underwater CVQKD. Based on numerical simulation, it is shown that applying photon-addition non-Gaussian operation between entangled resource and the sender can further enhance both the secure key rate and the transmission distance, compared to apply photon subtraction operation between entangled resource and the receiver. In addition, the influence of seawater quality factors in underwater CVQKD system is also considered, so as to provide technical support for underwater safety communication.

FPGA-Based Implementation of an Underwater Quantum Key Distribution System With BB84 Protocol

FPGA-Based Implementation of an Underwater Quantum Key Distribution System With BB84 Protocol

Non-Gaussian approach: Withstanding loss and noise of multi-scattering underwater channel for continuous-variable quantum teleportation

Underwater quantum communication plays a crucial role in ensuring secure data transmission and extensible quantum networks in underwater environments. However, the implementation of such applications encounters challenges due to the light attenuation caused by the complicated natural seawater. This paper focuses on employing a model based on seawater chlorophyll-a concentration to characterize the absorption and scattering of light through quantum channels. We propose a multi-scattering random channel model, which demonstrates characteristics of the excess noise in different propagation directions of communication links. Furthermore, we consider the fidelity of a continuous-variable quantum teleportation through seawater channel. To enhance transmission performance, non-Gaussian operations have been conducted. Numerical simulations show that incorporating non-Gaussian operations enables the protocol to achieve higher fidelity transmission or lower fidelity fading rates over longer transmission distances.

Optimizing the propagation of mesoscopic twin-beam states for novel quantum communication protocols

Nowadays, optical Quantum Communication has reached a mature level, especially in free space and through optical fibers. Experimental implementations usually involve single-photon states or weak coherent states detected by single-photon detectors. In contrast to these standard configurations, in our work we consider mesoscopic twin-beam (TWB) states revealed by photon-number-resolving detectors. By properly acting on the natural divergence of the generated beams, we show that they remain nonclassical even at a moderate distance from the nonlinear crystal in which they are produced. We also consider the case where one of the two parties of TWB is partially transmitted through water, and show that the nonclassicality of the states is preserved. This result suggests that mesoscopic TWB states can be considered for the new and growing scenario of underwater Quantum Communication.

Effect of Marine Bubbles on the Performance of Underwater Quantum Communication Channel

Effect of Marine Bubbles on the Performance of Underwater Quantum Communication Channel

Effect of Sea Ice on Performance of Underwater Quantum Communication Channels

Effect of Sea Ice on Performance of Underwater Quantum Communication Channels

Influence of Marine Non-Pigment Agglomerated Particles on Performance of Underwater Quantum Communication

Influence of Marine Non-Pigment Agglomerated Particles on Performance of Underwater Quantum Communication

Towards underwater quantum communication in the mesoscopic intensity regime.

The problem of secure underwater communication can take advantage of the exploitation of quantum resources and novel quantum technologies. At variance with the current experiments performed at the single photon level, here we propose a different scenario involving mesoscopic twin-beam states of light and two classes of commercial photon-number-resolving detectors. We prove that twin-beam states remain nonclassical even if the signal propagates in tubes filled with water, while the idler is transmitted in free space. We also demonstrate that from the study of the nonclassicality information about the loss and noise sources affecting the transmission channels can be successfully extracted.

A High-Resolution and Low-Cost Entangled Photon Quantum Imaging Framework for Marine Turbulence Environment

Entangled photon quantum imaging technology has become very promising for marine imaging due to its high resolution, anti-turbulence, and anti-interference properties. The turbulence and optical attenuation caused by oceanic water would impose severe limitations on conventional imaging equipment. Quantum imaging based on entangled light sources could make it possible to overcome the constraints of low imaging resolution, large maritime environmental impact and low confidentiality in traditional underwater target imaging. Hence, the recent technological developments in terms of quantum imaging in free space motivate our investigation into high-resolution quantum imaging based on spatially correlated properties of entangled photon pairs in a marine environment. Moreover we propose and design an innovative underwater quantum imaging optical path for experimental verification. We conduct extensive experiments to assess the effectiveness of our proposed quantum imaging approach in marine environments. In order to solve the problem of the slow quantum imaging process, we propose an innovative compressive sensing reconstruction algorithm. Experiments show that the compressive sensing method could be utilized to reduce the imaging time. Finally, we propose an underwater quantum target identification method based on deep learning, further providing the possibility for underwater quantum target identification of entangled light sources.

On the optimization of underwater quantum key distribution systems with time-gated SPADs

In this paper, we study the effect of various transmitter and receiver parameters on the quantum bit error rate (QBER) performance of underwater quantum key distribution. We utilize a Monte Carlo approach to simulate the trajectories of emitted photons transmitting in water from the transmitter towards the receiver. Based on propagation delay results, we first determine a proper value for the bit period to avoid intersymbol interference as a result of possible multiple scattering events. Then, based on the angle of arrival of the received photons, we determine a proper field of view to limit the average number of received background noise. Finally, we determine the optimal value for the single photon avalanche diode gate time in the sense of minimizing the QBER for the selected system parameters and given propagation environment.

Practical underwater quantum key distribution based on decoy-state BB84 protocol.

Polarization encoding quantum key distribution has been proven to be a reliable method to build a secure communication system. It has already been used in an inter-city fiber channel and near-Earth atmosphere channel, leaving an underwater channel the last barrier to conquer. Here we demonstrate a decoy-state BB84 quantum key distribution system over a water channel with a compact system design for future experiments in the ocean. In the system, a multiple-intensity modulated laser module is designed to produce the light pulses of quantum states, including signal state, decoy state, and vacuum state. Classical communication and synchronization are realized by wireless optical transmission. Multiple filtering techniques and wavelength division multiplexing are further used to avoid cross talk of different lights. We test the performance of the system and obtain a final key rate of 245.6 bps with an average quantum bit error rate of 1.91% over a 2.4 m water channel, in which the channel attenuation is 16.35 dB. Numerical simulation shows that the system can tolerate up to 21.7 dB total channel loss and can still generate secure keys in 277.9 m Jerlov type I ocean channel.

Effects of ocean turbulence on photon orbital angular momentum quantum communication

The effect of the turbulent motion of ocean on the quantum communication based on the orbital angular momentum in an underwater quantum channel is studied in this work. Based on the power spectrum model of ocean turbulence proposed by Elamassie, the quantitative relationships of different ocean turbulence parameters with the single photon detection probability of orbital angular momentum photons, the channel capacity, the key generation rate, the concurrence of two entangled photons are proposed. The maximum entanglement distance of the orbital angular momentum entangled photon-pairs in the ocean turbulence is further studied by the universal entanglement decay of the concurrence of entangled photon-pairs in the ocean turbulence. The results show that the detection probability of single photon, the channel capacity, the key generation rate, and the concurrence of entangled photon-pairs decrease with the increase of the dissipation rate of turbulent kinetic energy and the decrease of the rate of dissipation of mean-squared temperature. The influence of the temperature and salinity balance parameter of ocean turbulence on the performance of underwater quantum communication are significantly different under the condition of whether the stable stratification of seawater is assumed or not. In the ocean turbulent environment, the increasing of the initial orbital angular momentum quantum number of signal photons can improve the key generation rate of quantum key distribution and the resistance of entangled photons to entanglement decay.

Experimental demonstration of underwater decoy-state quantum key distribution with all-optical transmission.

We demonstrate the underwater quantum key distribution (UWQKD) over a 10.4-meter Jerlov type III seawater channel by building a complete UWQKD system with all-optical transmission of quantum signals, a synchronization signal and a classical communication signal. The wavelength division multiplexing and the space-time-wavelength filtering technology are applied to ensure that the optical signals do not interfere with each other. The system is controlled by FPGA and can be easily integrated into watertight cabins to perform the field experiment. By using the decoy-state BB84 protocol with polarization encoding, we obtain a bit rate of secure keys of 1.82 Kbps and an error rate of 1.55% at the attenuation of 13.26 dB. We prove that the system can tolerate the channel loss up to 23.7 dB and therefore may be used in the 300-meter-long Jerlov type I clean seawater channel.

Optical characterization of the deep-waters of the Gulf of Mexico by in situ PAR during summer

Phytoplankton is a sentinel group of organisms of climate change due to their capacity to respond to multiple stressors, so studies documenting the optimal optical conditions within the water column affecting their growth and production are imperative. As a contribution to this topic, this study report selected optical properties in deep-waters of the Gulf of Mexico by in situ measurements during summertime. A multidisciplinary research cruise was carried during August/September of 2018. A CTD instrument configured with underwater quantum and fluorescence sensors were used to acquire data of temperature, conductivity, depth, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), and fluorescence of chlorophyll-a, which were used to determine selected optical coefficients, including the light extinction (k), the compensation light intensity (Ec), the compensation depth (Zc), the critical depth (Zcr), and the incident irradiance (E0). The Brunt-Väisälä frequency calculated from CTD data was used as a magnitude indicator of the water column stratification. The results showed a pycnocline located between 23 and 68 m depth, and favorable conditions for phytoplankton production with high values of E0 reaching 1523.4 μmol m-2 s-1, Ec values ranging from 3 to 8 μmol m-2 s-1, values of Zcr greater than Zc and maximum records of k values of 0.06. Based on multivariate statistical techniques, two zones were clearly defined. These results represent the first observational report on the optical properties in the deep region of the Gulf of Mexico. Studies on the ideal optical conditions for carrying out phytoplankton photosynthesis and their possible seasonal and interannual variability are essential to understand the processes that support the phytoplankton production, especially in regions that are characterized by their high biodiversity.

Influence of Marine Mineral Particles on Channel Performance of Underwater Quantum Communication

Influence of Marine Mineral Particles on Channel Performance of Underwater Quantum Communication

Bidirectional teleportation for underwater quantum communications

In this work, we evaluate the performance of a bidirectional teleportation protocol on an IBM Q Experience quantum processor of six or more qubits. Moreover, we analyze the viability in the implementation of the mentioned protocol in a configuration composed by two submerged nuclear submarines on opposite sides of the ocean and a satellite that generates and distributes entangled pairs, and transmits optical bits of disambiguation to those buoys located on the sea surface, and associated to those submerged submarines. The results of the implementations on a 16-qubits Melbourne IBM Q processor turned out to be extremely satisfactory with a low margin of error considering that this processor does not belong to the Premium family of IBM Q, which implies a high presence of decoherence and sensitivity to flip errors even in few-gate quantum circuits.