https://doi.org/10.1140/epjqt/s40507-025-00321-w
Research
Pulse shape optimization against Doppler shifts and delays in optical quantum communication
1
ZARM, University of Bremen, Am Fallturm 2, 28359, Bremen, Bremen, Germany
2
Gauss-Olbers Space Technology Transfer Center, University of Bremen, Bibliothek Str. 1, 28359, Bremen, Bremen, Germany
3
Department of Communications Engineering, University of Bremen, Otto-Hahn-Allee NW1, 28359, Bremen, Bremen, Germany
a
emanuel.schlake@zarm.uni-bremen.de
b
dennis.raetzel@zarm.uni-bremen.de
Received:
18
October
2024
Accepted:
31
January
2025
Published online:
14
February
2025
High relative velocities and large distances in space-based quantum communication with satellites in lower earth orbits can lead to significant Doppler shifts and delays of the signal impairing the achievable performance if uncorrected. We analyze the influence of systematic and stochastic Doppler shift and delay in the specific case of a continuous variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) protocol and identify the generalized correlation function, the ambiguity function, as a decisive measure of performance loss. Investigating the generalized correlations as well as private capacity bounds for specific choices of spectral amplitude shape (Gaussian, single- and double-sided Lorentzian), we find that this choice has a significant impact on the robustness of the quantum communication protocol to spectral and temporal synchronization errors. We conclude that optimizing the pulse shape can be a building block in the resilient design of quantum network infrastructure.
Key words: Quantum technology / Space-based quantum communication / Satellite communication / Doppler shift / Delay / Quantum key distribution
© The Author(s) 2025
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