Dual-port polarization mode dispersion free phase modulator for quantum key distribution

Polarization Mode dispersion (PMD) in single-mode fibers is a common source of problems in quantum key distribution (QKD) as well as all optical communication. Donald S. Bethune and William P. Risk developed a PMD-free phase modulator which is a single port component. We found that it is also necessary to construct a dual-port component. In this report, we demonstrate how PMD affects our single-photon interference experiment, and give a proposal on developing a dual-port PMD-free integrated phase modulator. This new component can be used in QKD as well as in other optical fiber communication schemes. And it will make long-distance information exchange more stable and effective.