A Reconfigurable Quantum Local Area Network Over Deployed Fiber

Practical quantum networking architectures are crucial for scaling the connection of quantum resources. Yet quantum network testbeds have thus far underutilized the full capabilities of modern lightwave communications, such as flexible-grid bandwidth allocation. In this work, we implement flex-grid entanglement distribution in a deployed network for the first time, connecting nodes in three distinct campus buildings time-synchronized via the Global Positioning System (GPS). We quantify the quality of the distributed polarization entanglement via log-negativity, which offers a generic metric of link performance in entangled bits per second. After demonstrating successful entanglement distribution for two allocations of our eight dynamically reconfigurable channels, we demonstrate remote state preparation -- the first realization on deployed fiber -- showcasing one possible quantum protocol enabled by the distributed entanglement network. Our results realize an advanced paradigm for managing entanglement resources in quantum networks of ever-increasing complexity and service demands

Slice-Less Optical Arbitrary Waveform Measurement (OAWM) in a Bandwidth of More than 600 GHz Using Soliton Microcombs

We propose and demonstrate a novel scheme for optical arbitrary waveform measurement (OAWM) that exploits chip-scale Kerr soliton combs as highly scalable multiwavelength local oscillators (LO) for ultra-broadband full-field waveform acquisition. In contrast to earlier concepts, our approach does not require any optical slicing filters and thus lends itself to efficient implementation on state-of-the-art high-index-contrast integration platforms such as silicon photonics. The scheme allows to measure truly arbitrary waveforms with high accuracy, based on a dedicated system model which is calibrated by means of a femtosecond laser with known pulse shape. We demonstrated the viability of the approach in a proof-of-concept experiment by capturing an optical waveform that contains multiple 16 QAM and 64 QAM wavelength-division multiplexed (WDM) data signals with symbol rates of up to 80 GBd, reaching overall line rates of up to 1.92 Tbit/s within an optical acquisition bandwidth of 610 GHz. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest bandwidth that has so far been demonstrated in an OAWM experiment

Optical frequency comb technology for ultra-broadband radio-frequency photonics

The outstanding phase-noise performance of optical frequency combs has led to a revolution in optical synthesis and metrology, covering a myriad of applications, from molecular spectroscopy to laser ranging and optical communications. However, the ideal characteristics of an optical frequency comb are application dependent. In this review, the different techniques for the generation and processing of high-repetition-rate (>10 GHz) optical frequency combs with technologies compatible with optical communication equipment are covered. Particular emphasis is put on the benefits and prospects of this technology in the general field of radio-frequency photonics, including applications in high-performance microwave photonic filtering, ultra-broadband coherent communications, and radio-frequency arbitrary waveform generation.Comment: to appear in Laser and Photonics Review

Space-time-frequency methods for interference-limited communication systems

textTraditionally, noise in communication systems has been modeled as an additive, white Gaussian noise process with independent, identically distributed samples. Although this model accurately reflects thermal noise present in communication system electronics, it fails to capture the statistics of interference and other sources of noise, e.g. in unlicensed communication bands. Modern communication system designers must take into account interference and non-Gaussian noise to maximize efficiencies and capacities of current and future communication networks. In this work, I develop new multi-dimensional signal processing methods to improve performance of communication systems in three applications areas: (i) underwater acoustic, (ii) powerline, and (iii) multi-antenna cellular. In underwater acoustic communications, I address impairments caused by strong, time-varying and Doppler-spread reverberations (self-interference) using adaptive space-time signal processing methods. I apply these methods to array receivers with a large number of elements. In powerline communications, I address impairments caused by non-Gaussian noise arising from devices sharing the powerline. I develop and apply a cyclic adaptive modulation and coding scheme and a factor-graph-based impulsive noise mitigation method to improve signal quality and boost link throughput and robustness. In cellular communications, I develop a low-latency, high-throughput space-time-frequency processing framework used for large scale (up to 128 antenna) MIMO. This framework is used in the world's first 100-antenna MIMO system and processes up to 492 Gbps raw baseband samples in the uplink and downlink directions. My methods prove that multi-dimensional processing methods can be applied to increase communication system performance without sacrificing real-time requirements.Electrical and Computer Engineerin

Optical frequency comb source for next generation access networks

The exponential growth of converged telecommunication services and the increasing demands for video rich multimedia applications have triggered the vast development of optical access technology to resolve the capacity bottleneck at metropolitan-access aggregations. To further enhance overall performance, next generation optical access networks will require highly efficient wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technology beyond the capability of current standard time division multiplexed (TDM) systems. The successful implementation of future-proof WDM access networks depends on advancements in high performance transmission schemes as well as economical and practical electronic/photonic devices. This thesis focuses on an investigation of the use of optical frequency comb sources, and spectrally efficient modulation formats, in high capacity WDM based optical access networks. A novel injected gain switched comb generation technique which deliver simplicity, reliability, and cost effectiveness has been proposed and verified through experimental work. In addition, a detailed characterization of the optical comb source has been undertaken with special attention on the phase noise property of the comb lines. The potential of the injected gain switched comb source is then demonstrated in a digital coherent receiver based long reach WDM access scenario, which intends to facilitate 10 - 40 Gbit/s data delivery per channel . Furthermore, an optical scalar transmission scheme enabling the direct detection of higher order modulation format signals has been proposed and experimentally investigated

Investigation of the impact of fibre impairments and SOA-based devices on 2D-WH/TS OCDMA codes

In seeking efficient last-mile solutions for high-capacity, optical code division multiple access (OCDMA) emerges as a promising alternative high-speed optical network that can securely support a multitude of simultaneous users without requiring extensive equipment. This multiplexing technique has recently been the subject of comprehensive research, highlighting its potential for facilitating high-bandwidth multi-access networking. When contrasted with techniques such as wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) and optical time division multiplexing (OTDM), OCDMA offers a more effective and equitable split of available fibre bandwidth among the users. This thesis presents my research focused on the incoherent OCDMA under the influence of optical fibre impairments that uses picosecond multiwavelength pulses to form two-dimensional wavelength hopping time-spreading (2D-WH/TS) incoherent OCDMA codes. In particular, self-phase modulation, temperature induced fibre dispersion, chromatic dispersion, as well as the impact of semiconductor optical amplifier SOA devices deployment on 2D-WH/TS OCDMA code integrity were investigated. These aspects were investigated using a 17-km long bidirectional fibre link between Strathclyde and Glasgow University. In particular, I investigated the impact of temporal skewing among OCDMA code carriers and the importance of selecting small range of wavelengths as code carriers where wide range manifest high dependency on wavelength. This wavelength dependency is exploited furthermore to measure the induced temperature dispersion coefficient accurately and economically. I have conducted experiments to characterise the impact of SOA-device on 2D OCDMA code carries which is evaluated under different bias conditions. This evaluation addressed the potential challenges and ramifications of the gain recovery time of SOA and its wavelength dependency with respect to gain ratio and self-phase modulation (SPM). The OCDMA code was built using multiplexers and delay lines to create a 2D OCDMA code to allow studying the impact of deploying a SOA under different conditions on each wavelength. The concept described above is then extended to the investigation of the SOA’s impact on a 2D-WH/TS OCDMA prime code under high bias current/gain conditions. The overall performance of two different 2D-WH/TS OCDMA systems deploying the SOA was also calculated. I have also investigated the possibility of manipulating chirp in 2D-WH/TS incoherent OCDMA to counteract the self-phase modulation-induced red shift by using single mode fibre and lithium crystals. I have investigated the performance of the picosecond code based optical signal when subjected to temperature variations similar to that experience by most buried fibre systems. I have proposed and demonstrated a novel technique, which I examined analytically and experimentally, that utilises a SOA at the transmitter to create a new code with a new wavelength hopping and spreading time sequences to achieve a unique physical improved secure incoherent OCDMA communication method. A novel fully automated tuneable compensation testbed is also proposed of an autonomous dispersion management in a WH/TS incoherent OCDMA system. The system proposed manipulates the chirp of OCDMA code carriers to limit chromatic dispersion detrimental effect on transmission systems.In seeking efficient last-mile solutions for high-capacity, optical code division multiple access (OCDMA) emerges as a promising alternative high-speed optical network that can securely support a multitude of simultaneous users without requiring extensive equipment. This multiplexing technique has recently been the subject of comprehensive research, highlighting its potential for facilitating high-bandwidth multi-access networking. When contrasted with techniques such as wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) and optical time division multiplexing (OTDM), OCDMA offers a more effective and equitable split of available fibre bandwidth among the users. This thesis presents my research focused on the incoherent OCDMA under the influence of optical fibre impairments that uses picosecond multiwavelength pulses to form two-dimensional wavelength hopping time-spreading (2D-WH/TS) incoherent OCDMA codes. In particular, self-phase modulation, temperature induced fibre dispersion, chromatic dispersion, as well as the impact of semiconductor optical amplifier SOA devices deployment on 2D-WH/TS OCDMA code integrity were investigated. These aspects were investigated using a 17-km long bidirectional fibre link between Strathclyde and Glasgow University. In particular, I investigated the impact of temporal skewing among OCDMA code carriers and the importance of selecting small range of wavelengths as code carriers where wide range manifest high dependency on wavelength. This wavelength dependency is exploited furthermore to measure the induced temperature dispersion coefficient accurately and economically. I have conducted experiments to characterise the impact of SOA-device on 2D OCDMA code carries which is evaluated under different bias conditions. This evaluation addressed the potential challenges and ramifications of the gain recovery time of SOA and its wavelength dependency with respect to gain ratio and self-phase modulation (SPM). The OCDMA code was built using multiplexers and delay lines to create a 2D OCDMA code to allow studying the impact of deploying a SOA under different conditions on each wavelength. The concept described above is then extended to the investigation of the SOA’s impact on a 2D-WH/TS OCDMA prime code under high bias current/gain conditions. The overall performance of two different 2D-WH/TS OCDMA systems deploying the SOA was also calculated. I have also investigated the possibility of manipulating chirp in 2D-WH/TS incoherent OCDMA to counteract the self-phase modulation-induced red shift by using single mode fibre and lithium crystals. I have investigated the performance of the picosecond code based optical signal when subjected to temperature variations similar to that experience by most buried fibre systems. I have proposed and demonstrated a novel technique, which I examined analytically and experimentally, that utilises a SOA at the transmitter to create a new code with a new wavelength hopping and spreading time sequences to achieve a unique physical improved secure incoherent OCDMA communication method. A novel fully automated tuneable compensation testbed is also proposed of an autonomous dispersion management in a WH/TS incoherent OCDMA system. The system proposed manipulates the chirp of OCDMA code carriers to limit chromatic dispersion detrimental effect on transmission systems