Invention Reference Number
Polarization drift in quantum networks is a major issue. Fiber transforms a transmitted signal’s polarization differently depending on its environment. This technology strengthens quantum networking by providing automatic polarization compensation using ultra-sensitive detection of coexisting dim reference signals. It achieves fast and complete control of the polarization of light while ensuring 100% uptime by using very weak reference signals. This new system for measuring and compensating polarization changes features a multi-axis control mechanism designed for low-loss, high-speed operation and simplicity. Combining ultra-sensitive detection with fast, low-loss polarization control avoids noise issues from reference signals, ensuring it can operate continuously without downtime.
Description
This technology is a new method for measuring and compensating polarization changes in quantum fiber networks. It benefits from combining ultra-sensitive detection with fast, low-loss polarization control, avoiding noise issues from reference signals. This ensures the system can operate continuously without downtime. This new method balances the demands of 100% up-time, high-bandwidth detection and correction, low-insertion loss, and negligible added noise. Laser reference signals can be used while still maintaining the benefits of dim reference signals detected by single-photon detectors. This helps enable 100% uptime. This system can control polarization of light through fiber at a high bandwidth, and for single-photon quantum signals without injecting significant noise.
Benefits
- Fast continuous control
- Controls polarization automatically
- Low noise
- Precise control with high bandwidth
- No downtime
- Could be used for classical communications, too, not only for quantum communications
Applications and Industries
- Quantum technologies
- Fiber internet
Contact
To learn more about this technology, email partnerships@ornl.gov or call 865-574-1051.
