High-speed phase-encoded quantum secure direct communication over 11.4 km heterogeneous free-space and fiber links

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates stable phase-encoded quantum communication over 1400 meters of free space with high interference visibility, seamless fiber coupling, and potential for satellite-to-ground links, advancing space-ground quantum networking.

Contribution

It is the first to show phase encoding in free-space quantum communication with high stability and interoperability with fiber links, enabling practical space-ground quantum networks.

Findings

Achieved 99.07% interference visibility in free-space transmission.

Maintained stable operation for nearly one hour.

Feasibility of extending free-space links beyond 30 km based on simulations.

Abstract

Robust quantum transmission is driving a new paradigm in space-ground quantum networking. Although phase encoding has been widely adopted in terrestrial fiber channels, it has long been considered unsuitable for free-space quantum communication. Here, we demonstrate phase-encoded quantum communication over 1400 m of urban free space. The system maintained stable operation for nearly one hour, achieving 99.07% interference visibility and an average quantum bit error rate of 2.38%. The free-space quantum states were directly coupled into the fiber and transmitted over an additional 10 km, confirming seamless interoperability across different media. We further show that turbulence-induced phase drifts between successive picosecond pulses can be effectively compensated. A cascaded-link model and numerical simulations indicate feasibility over free-space distances exceeding 30 km, underscoring the potential for satellite-to-ground quantum links. This work establishes the viability of phase encoding in free-space quantum networks, simplifying cross-medium integration and enabling compatibility with existing classical infrastructures.