Detection and compensation of basis deviation in satellite-to-ground quantum communications
Ming Zhang, Liang Zhang, Jincai Wu, Shiji Yang, Xiong Wan, Zhiping He, Jianjun Jia, David S. Citrin, Jianyu Wang · Optics Express · 2014
Basis deviation is the reference-frame deviation between a sender and receiver caused by satellite motion in satellite-to-ground quantum communications. It increases the quantum-bit error ratio of the system and must be compensated for to guarantee reliable quantum communications. We present a new scheme for compensating for basis deviation that employs a BB84 decoding module to detect basis deviation and half-wave plate to provide compensation. Based on this detection scheme, we design a basis-deviation compensation approach and test its feasibility in a voyage experiment. Unlike other polarization-correction schemes, this compensation scheme is simple, convenient, and can be easily implemented in satellite-to-ground quantum communications without increased burden to the satellite.