Coincidence Rates for Photon Pairs in WDM Environment

TL;DR

This paper explores how wavelength selective switches can enhance bandwidth management in quantum key distribution networks using entangled photon pairs, supported by theoretical derivations and experimental verification.

Contribution

It introduces an analytical model linking coincidence rates to switch bandwidth and validates it through experiments in various network setups.

Findings

Analytical expression for coincidence rates derived.

Experimental results confirm the theoretical model.

Demonstrates switch flexibility benefits in quantum networks.

Abstract

We demonstrate the flexibility that a wavelength selective switch could offer to bandwidth provisioning of potential multi-user quantum key distribution networks based on entangled pair sources. We derive an analytical expression relating the coincidence detection rates of the photon pairs to the switch bandwidth characteristics. Experimentally measured coincidence rates verify the theory in three distinct network configurations.