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Pulsed phase modulation with harmonic electric control signal for quantum key distribution implementations

https://doi.org/10.17586/2220-8054-2026-17-1-39-45

Abstract

In this work, we investigate an alternative approach to phase modulation for information encoding and decoding in quantum key distribution systems. Specifically, we propose pulsed phase modulation, i.e. it has an envelope in addition to previously considered only harmonic temporal behavior of modulation index (depth), as a replacement for the conventional use of both intensity and phase modulators, which enables a more compact and cost-effective optical design. We further analyze how the principal parameters of this scheme affect the interference observed at the receiver and, consequently, their contribution to the quantum bit error rate in a subcarrier-wave quantum key distribution implementation.

About the Authors

A. A. Gaidash
SMARTS-Quanttelecom LLC; ITMO University
Russian Federation

Andrei A. Gaidash

199178, 59-1-B6th line of Vasilievsky island, Saint Petersburg

3b Kadetskaya Line, 199034, Saint Petersburg



G. P. Miroshnichenko
ITMO University
Russian Federation

George P. Miroshnichenko

3b Kadetskaya Line, 199034 Saint Petersburg



A. V. Kozubov
SMARTS-Quanttelecom LLC; ITMO University
Russian Federation

Anton V.Kozubov

199178,59-1-B 6th line of Vasilievsky island, Saint Petersburg

3b Kadetskaya Line, 199034 Saint Petersburg



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Review

For citations:


Gaidash A.A., Miroshnichenko G.P., Kozubov A.V. Pulsed phase modulation with harmonic electric control signal for quantum key distribution implementations. Nanosystems: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics. 2026;17(1):39-45. https://doi.org/10.17586/2220-8054-2026-17-1-39-45

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ISSN 2220-8054 (Print)
ISSN 2305-7971 (Online)