Binary Homodyne Detection for Observing Quadrature Squeezing in Satellite Links

Abstract

Optical satellite links open up new prospects for realizing quantum physical experiments over unprecedented length scales. We demonstrate the feasibility of quadrature squeezing detection in satellite links using optical communication technology already in orbit. The detection process is complicated by the fact that the homo dyne detectors aboard of satellites often provide an efficient resolution of only one bit. We show experimentally, that despite this extremal constraint quantum squeezing can still be detected efficiently. The required sample overhead compared to an ideal homo dyne detector is only a factor of 3.3.