Approaching Helstrom limits to optical pulse-position demodulation using single photon detection and optical feedback

Saikat Guha, Jonathan L. Habif, M. Takeoka
2011 Journal of Modern Optics  
We consider the problem of demodulating M-ary optical PPM (pulse-position modulation) waveforms, and propose a structured receiver whose mean probability of symbol error is smaller than all known receivers, and approaches the quantum limit. The receiver uses photodetection coupled with optimized phase-coherent optical feedback control and a phase-sensitive parametric amplifier. We present a general framework of optical receivers known as the conditional pulse nulling receiver, and present new
more » ... sults on ultimate limits and achievable regions of spectral versus photon efficiency tradeoffs for the single-spatial-mode pure-loss optical communication channel.
doi:10.1080/09500340.2010.533204 fatcat:6ry6elxjsrfkzfd7gmseoxpoge