Quantum Communications Device With Single-Detector Multiplexing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Quantum communication systems require expensive single-photon detectors, thermal cooling units, and multi-channel timing electronics, leading to high costs, size, weight, and power requirements.
Innovation Solution
A quantum communications device element that combines and time-division multiplexes input signals using a receiver, coupling device, and detector, reducing the number of detectors needed and utilizing passive optical components like single or multimode fibers, which are easy to manufacture and require no input power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple single-photon detectors are used to facilitate quantum communication protocol, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple detector functions into a single detector by using a photonic lantern to multiplex multiple input signals (from different quantum states) into one detector input. This merging approach maintains the ability to distinguish multiple quantum states while reducing the total number of detectors required, thereby reducing device complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The single detector is made multi-functional by receiving multiple multiplexed signals that represent different quantum states. The photonic lantern enables one detector to perform the work of multiple detectors by processing multiple input channels simultaneously, making the detector universal for detecting various quantum states.
2Measurement precision
If multiple single-photon detectors and thermal cooling units are used, then detection accuracy is improved, but size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple detector systems and their associated thermal cooling units into a single detector system. By multiplexing multiple quantum state signals into one detector, the physical footprint, weight, and power requirements are significantly reduced while maintaining the ability to accurately detect multiple quantum states through the photonic lantern's signal routing capability.
3Reliability
If multiple detectors and timing electronics are used to facilitate quantum communication, then communication reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple power-consuming detector systems into a single detector by using signal multiplexing. The photonic lantern directs multiple input signals corresponding to different quantum states to a single detector, eliminating the need for multiple detectors and their associated power requirements, while still enabling reliable quantum communication through the multiplexed signal paths.
4Measurement precision
If expensive single-photon detectors are used for quantum communication, then detection sensitivity is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces cost by merging multiple expensive single-photon detectors into a single detector system. The photonic lantern provides a cost-effective multiplexing solution that allows one detector to replace multiple detectors, thereby reducing the overall system cost while maintaining the sensitivity required for quantum communication through proper signal routing and state discrimination.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device reduces the number of detectors required, thereby decreasing size, weight, and power consumption while maintaining optical throughput, facilitating efficient quantum communication.
Implementation Method 1
a coupling device coupled to the receiver, said coupling device being configured to convert the input signals to an output signal by time-division multiplexing the input signals
Data Source
AI summary
A quantum communications device element comprising: a receiver configured to: receive a quantum input signal in a statistical mixture comprising a pre-determined set of quantum states; probabilistically determine the quantum states of the predetermined set of quantum states of the quantum input signal; and output input signals corresponding to the quantum states of the quantum input signal; a coupling device coupled to the receiver, said coupling device being configured to convert the input signals to an output signal by time-division multiplexing the input signals; and a detector coupled to the coupling device, the detector being configured to receive the output signal.