Project Mission To conduct quantum information related research to:
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Most Recent Publications L. Ma, O. Slattery, and X. Tang, "Detection and Spectral measurement of single photons in communication bands using up-conversion technology", Laser Physics, 2010. Li Yan, Lijun Ma, and Xiao Tang, "Bragg-grating-enhanced narrowband spontaneous parametric down-conversion", Optics Express, 2010. Matthew T. Rakher, Lijun Ma, Oliver Slattery, Xiao Tang, Kartik Srinivasan, "Quantum Transduction of Telecommunications-band Single Photons from a Quantum Dot by Frequency Upconversion", Nature Photonics, 2010. Lijun Ma, Oliver Slattery and Xiao Tang, "Study on noise reduction in up-conversion single photon detectors", Invited paper, Proc. of SPIE, 2010. |
Quantum Communications Quantum information science combines two of the great scientific and technological revolutions of the 20th century, quantum mechanics and information theory. According to the National Science and Technology Council's 2008 report "A Federal Vision for Quantum Information Science", quantum information science will enable a range of exciting new possibilities including: greatly improved sensors with potential impact for mineral exploration , improved medical imaging and a revolutionary new computational paradigm that will likely lead to the creation of computation device capable of efficiently solving problems that cannot be solved on a classical computer. One of the fundamentally important research areas involved in quantum information science is quantum communications, which deals with the exchange of information encoded in quantum states of matter or quantum bits (known as qubits) between both nearby and distant quantum systems. Our Quantum Communication project performs core research on the creation, transmission, processing and measurement of optical qubits – the quantum states of photons, with particular attention to application to future information technologies.
In the past few years, we have undertaken an intensive study of quantum key distribution (QKD) systems for secure communications. Specifically, we demonstrated high-speed QKD systems that generate secure keys for encryption and decryption of information using a one-time pad cipher, and extended them into a 3-node quantum communications network. We have demonstrated the strengths and observed the limitations of QKD systems and networks. One such limitation is the effective communication distance of a point-to-point QKD system, which is about 100 km. Quantum repeaters represent a promising solution to this distance limitation. It enables quantum information exchange between two distant quantum systems including quantum computers. Though quantum repeaters are conceptually feasible, there are tremendous challenges to their development. Our goal in this area is to identify the problems, find potential solutions and evaluate their capabilities and limitations for future quantum communication applications. In summary, we perform research and development (R&D) in quantum communication and related measurement areas with an emphasis on applications in information technology. Our R&D is aimed to promote US innovation, industrial competitiveness and enhance the nation's security. This website shows the footprint of our R&D efforts in the past few years. For more information concerning this program, please contact project leader Dr. Xiao Tang (xiao.tang@nist.gov). Keywords: quantum communication, quantum measurement science, entangled photons, quantum teleportation and repeaters, free space optics, quantum cryptography, photon source/detectors. |
Higher Order Temporal Correlations Measured using Up-Conversion Detector The NIST quantum communications group has demonstrated an approach to measure the higher order (second-, third- and fourth) temporal correlations of photons in the near infrared (NIR) region using up-conversion detectors. The NIR photons are up-converted to the visible region and their temporal correlations are then measured using silicon photodiodes. The experimental results reveal that the photon statistics are well preserved in the frequency up-conversion process. Read more here.
System data rate breaks the jitter limitation with NIST up-conversion detectors: NISTs Quantum Communications research group has demonstrated a method to increase the date rate of quantum communication systems equipped with up-conversion detectors. The demonstration is implemented by using a novel multi-wavelength pumping scheme. Read more here. NIST Up-Conversion Detector Achieves Ultra Low Noise Level: The ITL Quantum Communications research group recently published details showing significant performance improvements in frequency up-conversion technology. The group demonstrated an improved frequency up-conversion detector with ultra low dark count (i.e. noise). The dark count rate of this detector is lower than 100 counts/second at 10% detection efficiency. Read more here.
Nature Photonics reports on ITL collaboration with CNST: Converting single photon emission from one wavelength to another is an important resource for integrating future quantum systems that combine low-loss optical transmission in the near-infrared with long-lived memories in the near-visible. As described in an upcoming issue of Nature Photonics, a collaborative research effort from CNST and ITL has demonstrated frequency upconversion of single photons from a semiconductor quantum dot from the near-infrared to the near-visible. Read more here.
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