55 research outputs found
Semiconductor optical amplifier-based nonlinear optical-loop mirror with feedback
The behavior of a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA)-based nonlinear loop mirror with feedback has been investigated as a potential device for all-optical signal processing. In the feedback device, input signal pulses (ones) are injected into the loop, and amplified reflected pulses are fed back into the loop as switching pulses. The feedback device has two stable modes of operation - block mode, where alternating blocks of ones and zeros are observed, and spontaneous clock division mode, where halving of the input repetition rate is achieved. Improved models of the feedback device have been developed to study its performance in different operating conditions. The feedback device could be optimized to give a choice of either of the two stable modes by shifting the arrival time of the switching pulses at the SOA. Theoretically, it was found possible to operate the device at only tens of fJ switching pulse energies if the SOA is biased to produce very high gain in the presence of internal loss. The clock division regime arises from the combination of incomplete SOA gain recovery and memory of the startup sequence that is provided by the feedback. Clock division requires a sufficiently high differential phase shift per unit differential gain, which is related to the SOA linewidth enhancement factor
Incoherent fibre supercontinuum generation for all-optical random number generation
Random number generation is a central component of modern information technology, with crucial applications in ensuring communications and information security. The development of new physical mechanisms suitable to directly generate random bit sequences is thus a subject of intense current research, with particular interest in alloptical techniques suitable for the generation of data sequences with high bit rate. One such promising technique that has received much recent attention is the chaotic semiconductor laser systems producing high quality random output as a result of the intrinsic nonlinear dynamics of its architecture [1]. Here we propose a novel complementary concept of all-optical technique that might dramatically increase the generation rate of random bits by using simultaneously multiple spectral channels with uncorrelated signals - somewhat similar to use of wave-division-multiplexing in communications. We propose to exploit the intrinsic nonlinear dynamics of extreme spectral broadening and supercontinuum (SC) generation in optical fibre, a process known to be often associated with non-deterministic fluctuations [2]. In this paper, we report proof-of concept results indicating that the fluctuations in highly nonlinear fibre SC generation can potentially be used for random number generation
Quantum cryptography via parametric downconversion
The use of quantum bits (qubits) in cryptography holds the promise of secure
cryptographic quantum key distribution schemes. It is based usually on
single-photon polarization states. Unfortunately, the implemented ``qubits'' in
the usual weak pulse experiments are not true two-level systems, and quantum
key distribution based on these imperfect qubits is totally insecure in the
presence of high (realistic) loss rate. In this work, we investigate another
potential implementation: qubits generated using a process of parametric
downconversion. We find that, to first (two-photon) and second (four-photon)
order in the parametric downconversion small parameter, this implementation of
quantum key distribution is equivalent to the theoretical version.
Once realistic measurements are taken into account, quantum key distribution
based on parametric downconversion suffers also from sensitivity to extremely
high (nonrealistic) losses. By choosing the small parameter of the process
according to the loss rates, both implementations of quantum key distribution
can in principle become secure against the attack studied in this paper.
However, adjusting the small parameter to the required levels seems to be
impractical in the weak pulse process. On the other hand, this can easily be
done in the parametric downconversion process, making it a much more promising
implementation.Comment: 6 pages, Latex (a special style file is attached). Presented in
QCM'98 conference. Similar results regarding the insecurity of weak-pulse
schemes were also presented by Norbert Lutkenhaus in the same conferenc
Simultaneous multiple channel all-optical NRZ to CSRZ and RZ to CSRZ format conversion using an SOA-NOLM
The optical conversion bandwidth for an all-optical modulation format converter, based on a semiconductor laser amplifier in a nonlinear optical loop mirror (SOA-NOLM), is investigated. 4Ă—10 Gbit/s channels are all-optically converted between both non-return-to-zero (NRZ) and return-to-zero (RZ) format to carrier-suppressed return-to-zero (CSRZ). WDM transmission of the converted signals over a 194 km fibre span is then demonstrated. The receiver sensitivity for the converted four wavelengths is measured and compared after transmission
Reply to "Comment on "Some implications of the quantum nature of laser fields for quantum computations''''
In this revised reply to quant-ph/0211165, I address the question of the
validity of my results in greater detail, by comparing my predictions to those
of the Silberfarb-Deutsch model, and I deal at greater length with the beam
area paradox. As before, I conclude that my previous results are an
(order-of-magnitude) accurate estimate of the error probability introduced in
quantum logical operations by the quantum nature of the laser field. While this
error will typically (for a paraxial beam) be smaller than the total error due
to spontaneous emission, a unified treatment of both effects reveals that they
lead to formally similar constraints on the minimum number of photons per pulse
required to perform an operation with a given accuracy; these constraints agree
with those I have derived elsewhere.Comment: A reply to quant-ph/0211165. Added more calculations and discussion,
removed some flippanc
Continuous-Variable Quantum Teleportation with a Conventional Laser
We give a description of balanced homodyne detection (BHD) using a
conventional laser as a local oscillator (LO), where the laser field outside
the cavity is a mixed state whose phase is completely unknown. Our description
is based on the standard interpretation of the quantum theory for measurement,
and accords with the experimental result in the squeezed state generation
scheme. We apply our description of BHD to continuous-variable quantum
teleportation (CVQT) with a conventional laser to analyze the CVQT experiment
[A. Furusawa et al., Science 282, 706 (1998)], whose validity has been
questioned on the ground of intrinsic phase indeterminacy of the laser field
[T. Rudolph and B.C. Sanders, Phys. Rev. Lett. 87, 077903 (2001)]. We show that
CVQT with a laser is valid only if the unknown phase of the laser field is
shared among sender's LOs, the EPR state, and receiver's LO. The CVQT
experiment is considered valid with the aid of an optical path other than the
EPR channel and a classical channel, directly linking between a sender and a
receiver. We also propose a method to probabilistically generate a strongly
phase-correlated quantum state via continuous measurement of independent
lasers, which is applicable to realizing CVQT without the additional optical
path.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figure
Entanglement of photons
It is argued that the title of this paper represents a misconception.
Contrary to widespread beliefs it is electromagnetic field modes that are
``systems'' and can be entangled, not photons. The amount of entanglement in a
given state is shown to depend on redefinitions of the modes; we calculate the
minimum and maximum over all such redefinitions for several examples.Comment: 5 pages ReVTe
Security of quantum cryptography using balanced homodyne detection
In this paper we investigate the security of a quantum cryptographic scheme
which utilizes balanced homodyne detection and weak coherent pulse (WCP). The
performance of the system is mainly characterized by the intensity of the WCP
and postselected threshold. Two of the simplest intercept/resend eavesdropping
attacks are analyzed. The secure key gain for a given loss is also discussed in
terms of the pulse intensity and threshold.Comment: RevTeX4, 8pages, 7 figure
Pulse-mode quantum projection synthesis: Effects of mode mismatch on optical state truncation and preparation
Quantum projection synthesis can be used for phase-probability-distribution
measurement, optical-state truncation and preparation. The method relies on
interfering optical lights, which is a major challenge in experiments performed
by pulsed light sources. In the pulsed regime, the time frequency overlap of
the interfering lights plays a crucial role on the efficiency of the method
when they have different mode structures. In this paper, the pulsed mode
projection synthesis is developed, the mode structure of interfering lights are
characterized and the effect of this overlap (or mode match) on the fidelity of
optical-state truncation and preparation is investigated. By introducing the
positive-operator-valued measure (POVM) for the detection events in the scheme,
the effect of mode mismatch between the photon-counting detectors and the
incident lights are also presented.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.
Proposal of an experimental scheme for realising a translucent eavesdropping on a quantum cryptographic channel
Purpose of this paper is to suggest a scheme, which can be realised with
today's technology and could be used for entangling a probe to a photon qubit
based on polarisation. Using this probe a translucent or a coherent
eavesdropping can be performed.Comment: in pres
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