For the next generation of very high throughput communication satellites, free-space optical (FSO) communication between ground stations and geostationary telecommunication satellites is a potential solution to overcome the limitations of RF links. To mitigate atmospheric turbulence effects, TNO proposes Adaptive Optics (AO) to apply uplink pre-correction. As a successor of Optics Feeder Link Adaptive Optics (OFELIA) breadboard [1], [2], the Terabit Optical Communication Adaptive Terminal (TOmCAT) project phase 2 aims to demonstrate the AO precorrection technology for a terabit Optical Ground Station (OGT) in a ground-to-ground link field test over 10 km. Within this demonstrator an upgraded version of the OFELIA breadboard is used as optical bench for the AO (pre-)correction, but moreover the demonstrator enables the (future) integration of equipment for the final OGT configuration including the Beam Multiplexer (BMUX) and communication equipment. Apart from the OGT demonstrator, the overall layout of the field test has been upgraded, including the test site and the Ground Support Equipment (GSE), with the goal to create a better understanding of the encountered link phenomena and the instant (turbulence) conditions at which it was measured. New additions to the GSE are several weather stations placed along the link path to quantify the local turbulence and to relate the measured link performance to the instant turbulence conditions. The test campaign is split in two successive field tests: First the AO Demonstrator evaluates the upgraded AO pre-correction performance with a single non-modulated link, followed by the OGT Demonstrator which will include the multiplexing of multiple uplink channels and RF end-to-end modems to prove the technical feasibility of supporting a terabit communication link. This paper covers the design of the AO demonstrator and GSE, the field test layout and the preliminary results for the AO demonstrator field test. For the downlink correction the residual Wave Front Error (WFE) is presented. The pre-correction performance is depicted in the uplink transmission loss and scintillation, all as function of the encountered turbulence conditions.

Long optical storage times are an essential requirement to establish high-rate entanglement distribution over large distances using memory-based quantum repeaters. Rare earth ion-doped crystals are arguably well-suited candidates for building such quantum memories. Toward this end, we investigate the 795.32 nm ³H₆ ↔ ³H₄ transition of 1% thulium-doped yttrium gallium garnet crystal (Tm³⁺:Y₃Ga₅O₁₂ : Tm³⁺:YGG). Most essentially, 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 (AFC) protocol up to 100 µs. In addition, we demonstrate multiplexed storage, including feed-forward selection, shifting, and filtering of spectral modes, as well as quantum state storage using members of non-classical photon pairs. Our results show that Tm:YGG can be a potential candidate for creating multiplexed quantum memories with long optical storage times.

In this work, we fabricate a multimode quantum memory out of a thulium-doped crystal and demonstrate storage of laser pulses of up to 100 µsec. A significant step forward for creating quantum memories with long optical storage times.

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 (QR) 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 QR'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.

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 nm3 H6↔H34 transition of Tm:Y3Ga5O12 (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 Tm of 13.1 μs. Possibilities of how to narrow the gap between the measured value of Tm 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.

A proposal for fast-switching broadband frequency-shifting technology making use of frequency conversion in a nonlinear crystal is set forth, whereby the shifting is imparted to the converted photons by creating a bank of frequency-displaced pump modes that can be selected by a photonic switch and directed to the nonlinear crystal. Proof-of-principle results show that the expected frequency-shifting operation can be achieved. Even though the dimensions of the currently employed crystal and significant excess loss in the experimental setup prevented conversion of single-photon-level inputs, thorough experimental and theoretical analysis of the noise contribution allowed for estimation of the system performance in an optimized scenario, where the expected signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for single-photon conversion and frequency shifting can reach up to 25 dB with proper narrowband filtering and state-of-the-art devices. The proposed frequency-shifting solution figures as a promising candidate for applications in frequency-multiplexed quantum repeater architectures with 25 dB output SNR (with 20% conversion efficiency) and capacity for 16 channels spread around a 100 GHz spectral region.

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.

Entangling quantum systems with different characteristics through the exchange of photons is a prerequisite for building future quantum networks. Proving the presence of entanglement between quantum memories for light working at different wavelengths furthers this goal. Here, we report on a series of experiments with a thulium-doped crystal, serving as a quantum memory for 794-nm photons, an erbium-doped fiber, serving as a quantum memory for telecommunication-wavelength photons at 1535 nm, and a source of photon pairs created via spontaneous parametric down-conversion. Characterizing the photons after re-emission from the two memories, we find nonclassical correlations with a cross-correlation coefficient of g12(2)=53±8; entanglement preserving storage with input-output fidelity of FIO≈93±2%; and nonlocality featuring a violation of the Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt Bell inequality with S=2.6±0.2. Our proof-of-principle experiment shows that entanglement persists while propagating through different solid-state quantum memories operating at different wavelengths.

Trend break detection is a fundamental problem that materializes in many areas of applied science, where being able to identify correctly, and in a timely manner, trend breaks in a noisy signal plays a central role in the success of the application. The linearized Bregman iterations algorithm is one of the methodologies that can solve such a problem in practical computation times with a high level of accuracy and precision. In applications such as fault detection in optical fibers, the length N of the dataset to be processed by the algorithm, however, may render the total processing time impracticable, since there is a quadratic increase on the latter with respect to N. To overcome this problem, the herewith proposed profile-splitting methodology enables blocks of data to be processed simultaneously, with significant gains in processing time and comparable performance. A thorough analysis of the efficiency of the proposed methodology stipulates optimized parameters for individual hardware units implementing the profile-splitting. These results pave the way for high performance linearized Bregman iteration algorithm hardware implementations capable of efficiently dealing with large datasets.

A 15 dB dynamic range and 4.6 cm spatial resolution tunable photon-counting optical time-domain reflectometer (PC-OTDR) is presented along with a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)-based detection management system that allows several regions of the fiber to be interrogated by the same optical pulse, increasing the data acquisition rate when compared to previous solutions. The optical pulse generation is implemented by a tunable figure-8 passive mode-locked laser providing pulses with the desired bandwidth and center wavelength for WDM applications in the C-band. The acquisition rate is limited by the afterpulse effect and dead time of the employed gated avalanche single-photon detectors. The devised acquisition system not only allows for centimeter-resolution monitoring of fiber links as long as 12 km in under 20 minutes but is also readily adapted to any other photon-counting strategy for increased acquisition rate. The system provides a 20-fold decrease in acquisition times when compared with state-of-the-art solutions, allowing affordable times in centimeter-resolution long-distance fiber measurements.

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 that 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.

Optical fibers constitute a staggering portion of the physical layer underlying modern communication networks. To extend the reach of such networks around the globe, long-haul links are necessary. In this context, establishing a connection between two remote locations is only possible due to signal booster stations interspersed along the way. Supervision of such long distance links is of the utmost importance for their reliable operation. For multiplexed networks, high-ratio optical splitters are necessary to distribute the optical signal to multiple users, diminishing severely the transmitted power for each network. In this work, an automated signal boosting remote station for monitoring signals is presented. A Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is part of the remote station and grants its autonomous operation. Making use of a topology capable of reaching over-saturation amplification of semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOA), a higher portion of the optical loss experienced in the splitter is precompensated in the remote node allowing for supervision reach-extension. Approximately 0.5 dB of increased dynamic range is experimentally achieved when comparing the proposed remote station with another one using the same optical amplifier. Even though the obtained extra gain is a minor improvement, the proposed topology paves the way for scalable amplification, allowing for longer reaches.

Supervision of the physical layer of optical networks is an extremely relevant subject. To detect fiber faults, single-ended solutions, such as the optical time-domain reflectometry (OTDR), allow for precise measurements of fault profiles. Combining the OTDR with a signal processing approach for high-dimensional sparse parameter estimation allows for automated and reliable results in reduced time. In this paper, a measurement system composed of a photon-counting OTDR data acquisition unit and a processing unit based on a linearized Bregman iterations' algorithm for automatic fault finding is proposed. An in-depth comparative study of the proposed algorithm's fault-finding prowess in the presence of noise is presented. Characteristics, such as sensitivity, specificity, processing time, and complexity, are analyzed in simulated environments. Real-life measurements that are conducted using the photon-counting OTDR subsystem for data acquisition and the linearized Bregman-based processing unit for automated data analysis demonstrated accurate results. It is concluded that the proposed measurement system is particularly well-suited to the task of fault finding. The natural characteristic of the algorithm fosters embedding the solution in digital hardware, allowing for reduced costs and processing time.