Abstract
A model for quantum BER estimation in polarization encoded quantum key
distribution systems is presented. Both TDM and WDM based polarization control schemes
are analyzed. It is shown that TDM presents some important advantages when compared with
the WDM control scheme. In WDM, the polarization decorrelation between the reference and
data signals is an intrinsic and very limitative impairment. This effect has a
contribution to quantum BER that increases with the propagation distance, and is highly
dependent on the fiber polarization mode dispersion. In the TDM control scheme, the
polarization decorrelation is less critical and other issues, like the single photon
detector and feedback polarization control system performance tend to dominate. We show
that for long distances the fiber losses represent the main contribution to the total
quantum BER. Nevertheless, for distances shorter than 70 km and frequencies higher than
5 MHz the after pulse detections provide an important contribution to the total quantum
BER.
© 2010 IEEE
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