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Low-loss, dual-polarization asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometer chips for quantum key distribution

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Abstract

We have developed the first low-loss, dual-polarization, asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometer (AMZI) chip for phase-coding quantum key distribution (QKD) using silica planar lightwave circuit technology. The transmitter and receiver modules have a polarization extinction ratio greater than 20 and 15 dB, respectively. Using a birefringent Mach-Zehnder interferometer, a polarization beam splitter is integrated into the receiver chip, while the polarization rotation function is obtained via a half-wave plate thin film. The receiver chip is entirely passive and has an excellent fiber C fiber loss of 1.90 dB, while the transmitter’s AMZI contains thermo-optical electrodes for adjusting the output pulses’ relative phase and intensity ratio. The chips are evaluated to have an interference visibility of greater than 98% across a broad temperature range, demonstrating their suitability for quantum key distribution applications.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Beijing Academy of Quantum Information Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China

    Meizhen Ren, Lai Zhou & Zhiliang Yuan

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  1. Meizhen Ren
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  2. Lai Zhou
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  3. Zhiliang Yuan
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Correspondence to Meizhen Ren.

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Ren, M., Zhou, L. & Yuan, Z. Low-loss, dual-polarization asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometer chips for quantum key distribution. Sci. China Inf. Sci. 66, 180503 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11432-022-3641-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11432-022-3641-x

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