Polarization-insensitive one-way quantum key distribution receiver, transmitter/receiver system

An apparatus for transmitting and receiving a quantum cryptographic key, comprising:

• a quantum key distribution transmitter unit comprising a light source for generating an optical pulse signal having optical signal photons, a first asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometer for separating the optical pulse signal generated by the light source into two optical pulse signals on a time-axis and outputting the two optical pulse signals, a first optical phase modulator for modulating and outputting an optical phase of an input optical pulse signal, and a polarization controller disposed between the first asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometer and the first optical phase modulator and aligning a polarization state of an optical pulse signal output from the first asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometer with predetermined polarization axis of the first optical phase modulator;
• and
• a quantum key distribution receiver unit comprising a polarization-insensitive optical phase modulator for receiving the optical signal photons output from the quantum key distribution transmitter unit and modulating and outputting a phase of the optical signal photons regardless of a polarization state of the optical signal photons, a second asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometer for causing interference in and outputting the optical signal photons received from the polarization-insensitive optical phase modulator, and photon detectors for detecting the optical signal photons received from the second Mach-Zehnder interferometer, wherein the polarization-insensitive optical phase modulator is formed by separating an optical phase modulator from the second asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometer, and wherein the polarization-insensitive optical phase modulator comprises:
• an optical circulator for outputting the input optical signal photons in only one direction according to the position of input ports;
• a polarization beam splitter connected to the optical circulator, and reflecting the input optical signal photons along a first optical path or transmitting it along a second optical path according to the polarization state of the optical signal photons;
• a third optical phase modulator disposed between the polarization beam splitter and a 90-degree polarization controller, and modulating and outputting the phase of the optical signal photons, and wherein the
• 90-degree polarization controller is disposed between the polarization beam splitter and the third optical phase modulator, and rotates the polarization state of the input optical signal photons by 90 degrees.

An apparatus for receiving a quantum cryptographic key, comprising:

• a polarization-insensitive optical phase modulator for receiving an optical signal photons, and modulating and outputting a phase of the optical signal photons without being affected by a polarization state of the optical signal photons, wherein the polarization-insensitive optical phase modulator comprises:
• an optical circulator for outputting the input optical signal photons in only one direction according to the position of input ports,
• a polarization beam splitter connected to the optical circulator, and reflecting the input optical signal photons along a first optical path or transmitting it along a second optical path according to the polarization state of the optical signal photons,
• an optical phase modulator disposed between the polarization beam splitter and 90-degree polarization controller, and modulating and outputting the phase of the optical signal photons, and
• a 90-degree polarization controller disposed between the polarization beam splitter and the optical phase modulator, and rotating the polarization state of the input optical signal photons by 90 degrees;
• an asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometer for causing interference in and outputting the optical signal photons received from the polarization-insensitive optical phase modulator;
• and
• photon detectors for detecting the optical signal photons received from the asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometer.

An apparatus for transmitting and receiving a quantum cryptographic key, comprising:

• a quantum key distribution transmitter unit comprising a light source for generating an optical pulse signal, a first asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometer for separating the optical pulse signal generated by the light source into two optical pulse signals on a time-axis and outputting the two optical pulse signals, a first optical phase modulator for modulating and outputting an optical phase of an input optical pulse signal, and a polarization controller disposed between the first asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometer and the first optical phase modulator and aligning a polarization state of an optical pulse signal output from the first asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometer with a predetermined polarization axis of the first optical phase modulator;
• and
• a quantum key distribution receiver unit comprising a polarization-insensitive optical phase modulator comprising:
• an optical circulator for outputting the input optical signal photons in only one direction according to the position of input ports,
• a polarization beam splitter connected to the optical circulator, and reflecting the input optical signal photons along a first optical path or transmitting it along a second optical path according to the polarization state of the optical signal photon,
• a third optical phase modulator disposed between the polarization beam splitter and a 90-degree polarization controller, and modulating and outputting the phase of the optical signal photons, and wherein the
• 90-degree polarization controller is disposed between the polarization beam splitter and the third optical phase modulator, and rotates the polarization state of the input optical signal photons by 90 degrees,
• the polarization-insensitive optical phase modulator for receiving optical signal photons output from the quantum key distribution transmitter unit and modulating and outputting a phase of the optical signal photons regardless of a polarization state of the optical signal photons, and wherein the quantum key distribution receiver unit further comprises a second asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometer for causing interference in and outputting the optical signal photons received from the polarization-insensitive optical phase modulator, and photon detectors for detecting the optical signal photons received from the second Mach-Zehnder interferometer.