中国物理B ›› 2025, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (5): 50310-050310.doi: 10.1088/1674-1056/adcdeb

所属专题: SPECIAL TOPIC — Quantum communication and quantum network

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Encoding converters for quantum communication networks

Hua-Xing Xu(许华醒)†, Shao-Hua Wang(王少华), Ya-Qi Song(宋雅琪), Ping Zhang(张平), and Chang-Lei Wang(王昌雷)   

  1. China Academy of Electronics and Information Technology, Beijing 100041, China
  • 收稿日期:2025-01-15 修回日期:2025-04-01 接受日期:2025-04-17 出版日期:2025-05-15 发布日期:2025-05-08
  • 通讯作者: Hua-Xing Xu E-mail:xuhuaxing@cetc.com.cn
  • 基金资助:
    Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 62001440).

Encoding converters for quantum communication networks

Hua-Xing Xu(许华醒)†, Shao-Hua Wang(王少华), Ya-Qi Song(宋雅琪), Ping Zhang(张平), and Chang-Lei Wang(王昌雷)   

  1. China Academy of Electronics and Information Technology, Beijing 100041, China
  • Received:2025-01-15 Revised:2025-04-01 Accepted:2025-04-17 Online:2025-05-15 Published:2025-05-08
  • Contact: Hua-Xing Xu E-mail:xuhuaxing@cetc.com.cn
  • Supported by:
    Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 62001440).

摘要: Quantum communication networks, such as quantum key distribution (QKD) networks, typically employ the measurement-resend mechanism between two users using quantum communication devices based on different quantum encoding types. To achieve direct communication between the devices with different quantum encoding types, in this paper, we propose encoding conversion schemes between the polarization bases (rectilinear, diagonal and circular bases) and the time-bin phase bases (two phase bases and time-bin basis) and design the quantum encoding converters. The theoretical analysis of the encoding conversion schemes is given in detail, and the basis correspondence of encoding conversion and the property of bit flip are revealed. The conversion relationship between polarization bases and time-bin phase bases can be easily selected by controlling a phase shifter. Since no optical switches are used in our scheme, the converter can be operated with high speed. The converters can also be modularized, which may be utilized to realize miniaturization in the future.

关键词: quantum communication networks, encoding conversion, polarization encoding, time-bin phase encoding

Abstract: Quantum communication networks, such as quantum key distribution (QKD) networks, typically employ the measurement-resend mechanism between two users using quantum communication devices based on different quantum encoding types. To achieve direct communication between the devices with different quantum encoding types, in this paper, we propose encoding conversion schemes between the polarization bases (rectilinear, diagonal and circular bases) and the time-bin phase bases (two phase bases and time-bin basis) and design the quantum encoding converters. The theoretical analysis of the encoding conversion schemes is given in detail, and the basis correspondence of encoding conversion and the property of bit flip are revealed. The conversion relationship between polarization bases and time-bin phase bases can be easily selected by controlling a phase shifter. Since no optical switches are used in our scheme, the converter can be operated with high speed. The converters can also be modularized, which may be utilized to realize miniaturization in the future.

Key words: quantum communication networks, encoding conversion, polarization encoding, time-bin phase encoding

中图分类号:  (Quantum communication)

  • 03.67.Hk
03.67.-a (Quantum information)