Title: NIST Develops Advanced Quantum Receiver System for Improved Optical Communication
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has created a new quantum receiver system that significantly enhances the accuracy of information detection in optical telecommunications systems. This “smart” receiver continuously estimates the reliability of the signals it measures, making error correction more efficient.
The system works by determining the confidence level of each part of a message measurement. Each symbol in the message is labeled with a quantitative reliability score, indicating whether it can be trusted or needs correction. This approach allows for more targeted error correction, reducing the energy required for accurate communication.
The receiver uses Bayesian inference to continuously update probabilities and reference waves after each photon detection. This results in a record of measurements with associated uncertainties, enabling more efficient error correction.
The potential impact of this technology is significant, as it could potentially double the distance over which accurate communication can occur. The system has been demonstrated in experiments with weak photon pulses, and further development could lead to practical applications in long-distance optical communication.
Keywords: Bayesian inference, Signal attenuation, Quantum measurement, Phase modulation, Error correction
