Feasibility of satellite quantum key distribution

作者：Bonato C^*; Tomaello A; Da Deppo V; Naletto G; Villoresi P

来源：New Journal of Physics, 2009, 11(4): 045017.

DOI：10.1088/1367-2630/11/4/045017

In this paper, we present a novel analysis of the feasibility of quantum key distribution between a LEO satellite and a ground station. First of all, we study signal propagation through a turbulent atmosphere for uplinks and downlinks, discussing the contribution of beam spreading and beam wandering. Then we introduce a model for the background noise of the channel during night-time and day-time, calculating the signal-to-noise ratio for different configurations. We also discuss the expected error-rate due to imperfect polarization compensation in the channel. Finally, we calculate the expected key generation rate of a secure key for different configurations (uplink, downlink) and for different protocols (BB84 with and without decoy states, entanglement-based Ekert91 protocol).

• 出版日期2009-4