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We explore the suitability of a virtually imaged phased array as a spectral-to-spatial mode-mapper (SSMM) for applications in quantum communication such as a quantum repeater. To this end, we demonstrate spectrally resolved Hong–Ou–Mandel (HOM) interference with weak coherent states (WCSs). Spectral sidebands are generated on a common optical carrier, and WCSs are prepared in each spectral mode and sent to a beam splitter followed by two SSMMs and two single-photon detectors, allowing us to measure spectrally resolved HOM interference. We show that the so-called HOM dip can be observed in the coincidence detection pattern of matching spectral modes with visibilities as high as 45% (maximum 50% for WCSs). For unmatched modes, the visibility drops significantly, as expected. Due to the similarity between HOM interference and a linear-optics Bell-state measurement (BSM), this simple optical arrangement figures as a candidate for the implementation of a spectrally resolved BSM. Finally, we simulate the secret key generation rate using current and state-of-the-art parameters in a measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution scenario and explore the trade-off between rate and complexity of a spectrally multiplexed quantum communication link.

Detection of level shifts in a noisy signal, or trend break detection, is a problem that appears in several research fields, from biophysics to optics and economics. Although many algorithms have been developed to deal with such a problem, accurate and low-complexity trend break detection is still an active topic of research. The Linearized Bregman Iterations have been recently presented as a low-complexity and computationally efficient algorithm to tackle this problem, with a formidable structure that could benefit immensely from hardware implementation. In this work, a hardware architecture of the Linearized Bregman Iteration algorithm is presented and tested on a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The hardware is synthesized in different-sized FPGAs, and the percentage of used hardware, as well as the maximum frequency enabled by the design, indicate that an approximately 100 gain factor in processing time, concerning the software implementation, can be achieved. This represents a tremendous advantage in using a dedicated unit for trend break detection applications. The proposed architecture is compared with a state-of-the-art hardware structure for sparse estimation, and the results indicate that its performance concerning trend break detection is much more pronounced while, at the same time, being the indicated solution for long datasets.

Realization of a globe-spanning quantum network is a current worldwide goal, where near and long term implementations will benefit from connectivity between platforms optimized for specific tasks. Towards this goal, a quantum network architecture is herewith proposed whereby quantum processing devices based on NV$^-$ colour centers act as quantum routers and, between which, long-distance entanglement distribution is enabled by spectrally-multiplexed quantum repeaters based on absorptive quantum memories in rare-earth ion-doped crystals and imperfect entangled photon-pair sources. The inclusion of a quantum buffer structure between repeaters and routers is shown to, albeit the increased complexity, improve the achievable entanglement distribution rates in the network. Although the expected rate and fidelity results are presented for a simple linear network (point-to-point), complex topologies are compatible with the proposed architecture through the inclusion of an extra layer of temporal multiplexing in the quantum router's operation. Figures of merit are extracted based on parameters found in the literature for near-term scenarios and attest the availability of the proposed buffered-router-assisted frequency-multiplexed automated repeater chain network., 33 pages, 10 figures

We argue that long optical storage times are required to establish entanglement at high rates over large distances using memory-based quantum repeaters. Triggered by this conclusion, we investigate the 795.325 nm^{3} H_{6}↔^{3}H_{4} transition of Tm:Y_{3}Ga_{5}O_{12} (Tm:YGG). Most importantly, we find that the optical coherence time can reach 1.1 ms, and, using laser pulses, we demonstrate optical storage based on the atomic frequency comb protocol during up to 100 μs as well as a memory decay time T_{m} of 13.1 μs. Possibilities of how to narrow the gap between the measured value of T_{m} and its maximum of 275 μs are discussed. In addition, we demonstrate multiplexed storage, including with feed-forward selection, shifting and filtering of spectral modes, as well as quantum state storage using members of nonclassical photon pairs. Our results show the potential of Tm:YGG for creating multiplexed quantum memories with long optical storage times, and open the path to repeater-based quantum networks with high entanglement distribution rates.

Depolarization is one of the most important sources of error in a quantum communication link that can be introduced by the quantum channel. Even though standard quantum process tomography can, in theory, be applied to characterize this effect, in most real-world implementations depolarization cannot be distinguished from time-varying unitary transformations, especially when the timescales are much shorter than the detectors response time. In this paper, we introduce a method for distinguishing true depolarization from fast polarization rotations by employing Hong–Ou–Mandel interference. It is shown that the results are independent of the timing resolutions of the photodetectors.

Traditional methods for measurement of Polarizing Beamsplitter (PBS) parameters, especially the extinction ratio, require highly polarized light sources, alignment procedures and/or experimental parameters that change over time, such as polarization rotations. In this work, a new method is presented, which employs unpolarized light and a Faraday Mirror. It is shown that precise extinction ratio and insertion loss values can be achieved in three single-sweep measurements, without any alignment requirements or time-varying signals of any kind., Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures

PONTIFÍCIA UNIVERSIDADE CATÓLICA DO RIO DE JANEIRO COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DO PESSOAL DE ENSINO SUPERIOR CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO PROGRAMA DE EXCELENCIA ACADEMICA Apesar da alta sensibilidade alcançada por Fotodetectores comercialmente disponíveis, a implementação de circuitos de gerenciamento é capaz de fortalecer a robustez das medidas, criando um aparato com mais recursos em aplicações específicas. Duas aplicações práticas dessa hipótese são apresentadas em contextos diferentes, Criptografia Quântica e Monitoramento de Fibras Ópticas fazendo uso da plataforma FPGA. Despite the high sensitivity reached by Photon Detectors so far, the implementation of a background managing system often enforces the robustness of measurements thus creating a resourceful apparatus for specific applications. In this document, the management tools offered by Software Defined Hardware (SDHs) is put to test. By associating the power of FPGAs and Photon Detectors, enhanced measurement stations were assembled. Two different applications, a Bell State Projection Analysis Station and a Photon Counting Optical Time Domain Reflectometry (v-OTDR)Automatic Setup, are presented. Even though both experiments involve the detection of single photons, the background technologies differ drastically.

PONTIFÍCIA UNIVERSIDADE CATÓLICA DO RIO DE JANEIRO CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO As fibras ópticas são suscetíveis ao estresse mecânico e podem ser danificadas ou quebradas, portanto, a supervisão da camada física é essencial para identificar essas falhas e remediá-las o mais rápido possível. Com o objetivo de agilizar e simplificar o processo de agendamento de unidades de reparo em campo, foi desenvolvido um sistema automatizado de medição de fibras baseado em uma unidade de processamento digital de sinal (DSP) capaz de identificar as posições das falhas de forma autônoma. Combinando esta unidade de DSP com um OTDR de contagem de fótons, é possível criar tal dispositivo. Este trabalho apresenta o desenvolvimento dos blocos de construção para tal dispositivo. Optical fibers are susceptible to mechanical stress and may be damaged or broken, thus physical layer supervision is essential to identify these failures and remediate them as quickly as possible. In order to hasten and simplify the scheduling process of the in-field repairing units, an automated fiber measurement system based on a digital signal processing (DSP) unit capable of autonomously identifying fault positions was developed. By combining this DSP unit with a Tunable Photon-Counting OTDR, it is possible to create such a device. This work presents the development of the building blocks for such device.

Neste trabalho é apresentado o desenvolvimento de uma estrutura automatizada para o monitoramento de fibras ópticas. Esta estrura consite em dois tipos de reflectômetros ópticos por contagem de fótons no domínio do tempo e um filtro de tendências que é utilizado para detectar as falhas em uma fibra óptica de forma automatizada. O primeiro OTDR por contagem de fótons apresenta uma faixa dinâmica de 32 dB com resolução espacial de 6 m, já o segundo OTDR apresenta uma faixa dinâmica de 14 dB e uma resolução de 3 cm. Foi demonstrada a sua capacidade de detectar falhas automaticamente em um enlace óptica e de sintonização no monitoramento de redes passivas WDM. In this work the development of an automated structure for the monitoring of optical fibers is presented. This structure consists of two types of Photon Counting Optical Time Domain Reflectometers and a trend filter that is used to detect fiber faults in an automated way. The first Photon Counting OTDR has a 32 dB dynamic range with spatial resolution of 6 m, while the second OTDR has a 14 dB dynamic range and a resolution of 3 cm. Its ability to automatically detect faults in an optical fiber link and tunability for monitoring of optical WDM networks has been demonstrated.

Estuda-se a relação de complementaridade entre a visibilidade e a distinguibilidade espectral dos pacotes de onda fotônicos deslocados em frequência em um interferômetro de Hong-Ou-Mandel. Uma definição experimental de K, o parâmetro de distinguibilidade, é proposta e testada para a desigualdade de complementaridade K2 mais V2 é menor ou igual à 1 quando um parâmetro de visibilidade consistente é definido. Os resultados mostram que a distinguibilidade espectral é, de fato, complementar à visibilidade e que o aspecto quântico do fenômeno de interferência de dois fótons pode ser examinado empregando estados coerentes atenuados. The complementarity relation between the visibility and the spectral distinguishability of frequencydisplaced photonic wave-packets in a Hong- Ou-Mandel interferometer is studied. An experimental definition of K, the distinguishability parameter, is proposed and tested for the K2 + V2 is less than or equal to 1 complementarity inequality when a consistent visibility parameter is defined. The results show that the spectral distinguishability is, indeed, complementary to the visibility and that the quantum aspect of the two-photon interference phenomenon can be examined by employing weak-coherent states.

Neste trabalho apresenta-se o desenvolvimento experimental de um método de monitoramento que permite localizar as posições das falhas tanto no enlace da fibra óptica como no cabo de cobre, no contexto de transmissão de sinais de rádio analógicos em redes móveis MFH (Mobile Fronthaul) de fibra óptica estendidas por cabos de cobre. O conceito MFH baseia-se na transmissão de sinais de rádio analógicos usando frequências intermediárias para a fibra e para o cabo de cobre e uma unidade de conversão opto/elétrica simples, a fim de utilizar as instalações de cabos de cobre já existentes. O método propõe alocar o sinal de monitoramento varrendo a frequência numa banda determinada a um canal de subportadora óptica. O sinal de monitoramento é utilizado para determinar tanto as características da fibra através do sinal retroespalhado, como também, as características do enlace de cabo de cobre através da técnica de refletômetria no domínio da frequência (FDR: Frequency Domain Reflectrometry). Os resultados mostraram que a técnica de monitoramento híbrido proposta é adequada para as Redes de Rádio Acesso (RAN: Radio Access Networks) que utilizam uma arquitetura de multiplexação em comprimento de onda e subportadora WDM/SCM-PON foi usada. O monitoramento da fibra em serviço apresentou uma resolução espacial de 10 m e uma faixa dinâmica de aproximadamente 9 dB e o monitoramento do cabo apresentou um erro inferior a 1 metro na localização de falhas de ruptura do cabo. This work shows the experimental development of a monitoring method that allows locate positions of failures in both optical fiber and copper cable links in the context of analogue radio signal transmission over fiber-extended copper mobile fronthaul networks (MFH). The MFH concept is based on transmission of radio signals using unique intermediate frequencies for the fiber and copper cable and a simple optical/electrical conversion unit in order to use existing copper cable installations. The method proposes to allocate the monitoring signal sweeping the frequency in a chosen band to a subcarrier channel. The monitoring signal is used to determine both, the fiber characteristics through the backscattering signal and also the copper cable link characteristics by the Frequency Domain Reflectometry (FDR) technique. The results show that the hybrid monitoring technique is suitable for copper cable-extended radio access network, for which the WDM / SCM-PON technology has been used. In-service fiber monitoring is achievable with a spatial resolution of 10 m and a dynamic range of approximately 9dB. Open circuit faults in the copper line were localized with better than 1-m accuracy.