Frequency shifts due to relativistic effects and retardation in continuous-variable quantum key distribution
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Space-based quantum communication naturally involves satellites and ground stations exchanging optical signals at high altitudes and large relative velocities. Starting from general relativistic considerations, we systematically separate the frequency shift into longitudinal Doppler contributions, relativistic corrections, and corrections from the propagation delay (retardation). We find the relativistic corrections to the Keplerian satellite orbits to be negligible on the considered timescale, compared to the gravitational and special relativistic time dilation contributions to the frequency shift. Somewhat surprisingly, we find the contribution from the retardation effect to be on the same order of magnitude as the relativistic contributions. To analyze the significance of these effects, we investigate secret key capacities for a continuous variable quantum key distribution protocol for various configurations of satellite orbits and ground stations. We find that the corrections from relativistic effects and retardation significantly impact the communication performance and should be taken into account.
Source: Physical Review Research
DOI: 10.1103/kgn5-m8dj
Institution: University of Bremen
Language: English
Subfield: Artificial Intelligence
Field: Computer Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,625
Awards: SFB 1464: Relativistische und quantenbasierte Geodäsie (TerraQ), FOR 5456: Uhrenmetrologie: Die ZEIT als neue Variable in der Geodäsie, Verbundprojekt: Open 6G Hub - Open6GHub -, Teilvorhaben: Erforschung und Demonstration von neuen Konzepten zur Informationsübertragung, Quantenkommunikation und resilienter Hardware für terrestrische und satelliten-gestützte 6G Netze
OpenAlex ID: W4414743682