Systems and methods for transmitting quantum and classical signals over an
optical network are disclosed, wherein the quantum signal wavelength
either falls within the classical signal wavelength band, or is very
close to one of the classical signal wavelengths. The system includes a
deep-notch optical filter with a blocking bandwidth that includes the
quantum signal wavelength but not any of the classical signal
wavelengths. The deep-notch optical filtering is applied to the classical
signals prior to their being multiplexed with the quantum signals to
prevent noise generated by the classical signals from adversely affecting
transmission of quantum signals in the transmission optical fiber.
Narrow-band filtering is also applied to the quantum signals prior to
their detection in order to substantially exclude spurious
non-quantum-signal wavelengths that arise from non-linear effects in the
optical fiber. The present invention allows for the quantum and classical
signals to have wavelengths within just a few nanometers of one another,
which has benefits for both classical and quantum signal transmission on
a common transmission optical fiber.