Becerra Chavez, F.
, Fan, J.
and Migdall, A.
(2014),
Photon Number Resolution Enables Quantum Receiver for Realistic Coherent Optical Communications, Nature Photonics, [online], https://doi.org/10.1038/NPHOTON.2014.280, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=914032 (Accessed May 27, 2026)
Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (
) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Photon Number Resolution Enables Quantum Receiver for Realistic Coherent Optical Communications
Published
Author(s)
, ,
Abstract
Quantum-enhanced measurements can provide information about the properties of a physical system with sensitivities beyond what is fundamentally possible with conventional technologies. However, this advantage can be achieved only if quantum measurement technologies are robust against losses and realistic imperfections. Here we demonstrate a robust quantum receiver for the coherent communication channel that extends its performance beyond the standard quantum limit (SQL) from the few-photons regime to the high-input-power regime. This receiver is based on adaptive measurements and photon number resolution providing high sensitivity and robustness against imperfections, and shows the greatest advantage over the SQL ever achieved by any quantum receiver at power levels compatible with state-of-the-art optical communication systems bringing quantum receivers closer to realistic applications.Citation
Nature Photonics
Pub Type
Journals
Download Paper
Keywords
quantum communication, standard quantum limit, state discrimination, quantum measurements, optical communications
Citation
Issues
If you have any questions about this publication or are having problems accessing it, please contact [email protected].
Created November 17, 2014, Updated May 7, 2026