Control systems for experiments in quantum communication and computing

Quantum information theory and technology have developed in such a way that, nowadays, its practical implementation is starting to arise. Electronic systems are unavoidably involved in this process; they are tied to measurement devices and external controllers, regardless of the experiments'' quantum nature. This book shows the development of a flexible, reprogrammable electronic system to control the action and measurements devices used in quantum information experiments based on optical fibres. It addresses required utilities on quantum optical schemes such as single and coincident photon detection, time stamping of events, random number generation, and optical phase and amplitude control. Tests of programmed applications are presented and analyzed. The present work is addressed to anyone interested in quantum information implementations, their development and challenges. Also people working in other fields, who have to deal with the electronics of coincidence detection, optical modulators or signal standardization can find this work as an enlightening example.