Polarization Calibration Scheme for a Practical Handheld Free Space Quantum Key Distribution Link

Free space Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) links between terminals that move relative to each other pose a number of challenges. The beam-steering components (typically mirrors) and the relative movement lead to variable birefringence, and for particular configuration there will also be fixed birefringence. The paper proposes a polarization calibration scheme suitable for real-time operation. Simulation and experiment are performed to verify the proposed scheme.

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