Ut-battelle, Inc.

Joseph M Lukens

Nicholas A Peters

Raphael C Pooser

Pavel Lougovski

Warren P Grice

Methods of quantum key distribution include receiving a frequency bin photon at a location, selecting a frequency bin photon quantum key distribution measurement basis, with a quantum frequency processor, performing a measurement basis transformation on the received frequency bin photon so that the frequency bin photon is measurable in the selected frequency bin photon quantum key distribution measurement basis, and detecting the frequency bin photon in the selected quantum key distribution measurement basis and assigning a quantum key distribution key value based on the detection to a portion of a quantum key distribution key. Apparatus and methods for encoding, decoding, transmitting, and receiving frequency bin photons are disclosed.

Quantum frequency processor for provable cybersecurity

A nonlinear fiber interferometer is disclosed suitable for fiber sensor and other applications. A first nonlinear fiber section amplifies probe and conjugate sidebands of a pump through four-wave mixing. A second section introduces a phase shift to be measured, for example from a sensor. A third nonlinear fiber section amplifies with phase-sensitive gain to increase signal-to-noise ratio. Based on phase-sensitive output power of probe and/or conjugate components, the phase shift can be measured. Superior performance can be obtained by balancing gain between the (first and third) nonlinear sections. Non-fiber, for example photonic integrated circuit, embodiments are disclosed. Differential sensing, alternative detection schemes, sensing applications, associated methods, and other variations are disclosed.

Gain balanced nonlinear optical interferometer

Nonlinear interferometers include a nonlinear optical medium that is situated to produce a conjugate optical beam in response to a pump beam and a probe beam. The pump, probe, and conjugate beams propagate displaced from each other along a common optical path. One of the beams is selectively phase shifted, and the beams are then returned to the nonlinear medium, with the selectively phase shift beam phase shifted again. The nonlinear medium provides phase sensitive gain to at least one of the probe or conjugate beams, and the amplified beam is detected to provide an estimate of the phase shift.

Nonlinear interferometer systems and methods

An apparatus for producing a single photon can comprise a modulator that modulates the wavelength of a pump beam based on wavelength of an idler photon of a signal/idler photon pair. A wavelength division multiplexer combines the modulated pump beam and the signal photon in a non-linear element to produce an output photon having a preselected wavelength based on signal photon wavelength and a wavelength of the modulated pump beam.

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Knoxville, TN, United States of America

Joseph M Lukens