Abstract
Technological realities limit terrestrial quantum key distribution (QKD) to single-link distances of a few hundred kilometers. One promising avenue for global-scale quantum communication networks is to use low-Earth-orbit satellites. Here we report the first demonstration of QKD from a stationary transmitter to a receiver platform traveling at an angular speed equivalent to a 600 km altitude satellite, located on a moving truck. We overcome the challenges of actively correcting beam pointing, photon polarization and time-of-flight. Our system generates an asymptotic secure key at 40 bits/s.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 33437-33447 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Optics Express |
Volume | 23 |
Issue number | 26 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 28 Dec 2015 |
Externally published | Yes |