| 摘要 |
A quantum communication system, which may be used for quantum key distribution (QKD), comprising: a plurality of transmitter units, such as optical network units (ONU) (301-1 301-8), each comprising at least a source of quantum signals, and preferably also a classical communications device; a receiver unit, such as an optical line terminal (OLT) (305), comprising: a quantum receiver (307), comprising at least one detector configured to detect quantum signals; and a first classical communication device (306); and a passive optical splitter (303), which distributes inputted optical signals irrespective of wavelength, and which may comprise evanescently coupled waveguides, and which may comprise a plurality of cascaded 1x2 passive optical splitters; wherein the plurality of transmitter units (301) are optically coupled to the receiver unit (305) through the passive optical splitter (303), wherein the passive optical splitter (303) is optically coupled to the quantum receiver (307) through a first spatial channel (304-2) and optically coupled to the first classical communication device (306) through a second spatial channel (304-1), wherein the first and second spatial channels may comprise respective separate optical fibres or respective separate cores in a multi-core optical fibre. |
