Two-way QKD system with active compensation

A quantum key distribution (QKD) system comprising:

• a first QKD station that includes first, second and third interferometer loops, wherein the first interferometer loop generates two quantum signals from a single quantum signal generated in the first QKD station;
• a second QKD station optically coupled to the first QKD station via an optical fiber connection, wherein the second QKD station is adapted to randomly modulate at least one of the two quantum signals and return the two quantum signals to the first QKD station over the optical fiber link;
• a signal-directing element arranged in the first QKD station that directs the two returned quantum signals to the second and third interferometer loops through a second output of the signal-directing element;
• and
• first and second detection stages respectively coupled to output ends of the second and third interferometer loops, respectively, wherein one arm of the second and third interferometer loops includes a phase shifter;
• and
• the first and second detection stages are each adapted to detect two interfered quantum signals created by one of the second and third interferometer loops from the two returned quantum signals.

A method of performing quantum key distribution (QKD), comprising:

• forming two quantum signals and two control signals in a first interferometer loop of a first QKD station having first and second interferometer loops, wherein the control signals precede the quantum signals;
• transmitting the control signals and quantum signals through a first output of a signal-directing element to a second QKD station that modulates at least one of the quantum signals and returns the quantum signals and the control signals;
• receiving the two returned quantum and the two returned two control signals at the first QKD station;
• and
• directing the two received quantum and the two received control signals to the second interferometer loop through a second output of the signal-directing element so that the two quantum signals do not traverse the same optical path and the two control signals do not traverse the same optical path.

A quantum key distribution (QKD) system comprising:

• a first QKD station that includes first and second interferometer loops, wherein the first interferometer loop forms two quantum signals and two control signals from a single quantum signal and a single control signal, respectively;
• a second QKD station optically coupled to the first QKD station via an optical fiber connection, wherein the second QKD station is adapted to randomly modulate at least one of the two quantum signals and return the two quantum signals to the first QKD station;
• a signal directing element having first and second outputs and arranged in the first QKD station, wherein the signal-directing element directs the two quantum signals to the second interferometer loop through the first output, and wherein the two returned quantum signals pass through the second output;
• an optical connection in the first QKD station that connects the first and second interferometer loops such that the two controls signals from the first interferometer loop are sent directly to the second interferometer loop without traveling to the second QKD station;
• and
• a detection stage coupled to the second interferometer loop and adapted to detect interfered control signals and interfered quantum signals formed in the second loop from the two control signals and the two returned quantum signals, respectively.

A method of performing quantum key distribution (QKD) over a QKD system, comprising:

• forming quantum signals and control signals in a first interferometer loop of a first QKD station having first and second interferometer loops;
• transmitting the quantum signals to a second QKD station via a first output of a signal directing element and modulating at least one of the quantum signals and returning the quantum signals to the first QKD station;
• transmitting the control signals from the first loop to the second loop without the control signals passing to the second QKD station;
• receiving the returned quantum signals at the first QKD station and sending the received quantum signals to the second interferometer loop through a second output of the signal-directing element so that the quantum signals do not traverse pass back the first interferometer;
• detecting interfered quantum signals and interfered control signals exiting the second loop;
• and
• stabilizing the operation of the QKD system using the detected interfered control signals.

A method of stabilizing a quantum key distribution (QKD) system that exchanges quantum signals between first and second QKD stations, wherein the first QKD station has a at least first and second interferometer loops, the method, comprising:

• sending first and second control signals from the first interferometer loop to the second interferometer loop through a first output of a signal-directing element without the control signals passing to the second QKD station;
• detecting first and second interfered control signals created from the first and second control signals by the second interferometer loop, the first and second interfered control signals having respective first and second intensities I1 and I2;
• and
• maintaining the ratio I1/I2 constant by adjusting the phase of one arm of the second interferometer;
• and
• sending first and second quantum signals from the first QKD station to the second QKD station and back to the first QKD station through a second output of the signal-directing element without the first and second QKD signals traversing the same optical path, wherein the second QKD station randomly modulates at least one of the two quantum signals.