title: Polarization measurements through space-to-ground atmospheric propagation paths by using a highly polarized laser source in space.
abstract: The polarization characteristics of an artificial laser source in space were measured through space-to-ground atmospheric transmission paths. An existing Japanese laser communication satellite and optical ground station were used to measure Stokes parameters and the degree of polarization of the laser beam transmitted from the satellite. As a result, the polarization was preserved within an rms error of 1.6 degrees, and the degree of polarization was 99.4+/-4.4% through the space-to-ground atmosphere. These results contribute to the link estimation for quantum key distribution via space and provide the potential for enhancements in quantum cryptography worldwide in the future.
authors.affiliation: Space Communications Group, New Generation Wireless Communications Research Center, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, 4-2-1 Nukui-Kitamachi, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8795, Japan. morio@nict.go.jp
authors.forename: Morio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Toyoshima
authors.forename: Hideki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Takenaka
authors.forename: Yozo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shoji
authors.forename: Yoshihisa
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takayama
authors.forename: Yoshisada
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Koyama
authors.forename: Hiroo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kunimori
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001272:Atmosphere / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D005118:Extraterrestrial Environment; D007834:Lasers; D009391:Nephelometry and Turbidimetry / Q000379:methods*; D012031:Refractometry / Q000379:methods*; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D018531:Spacecraft