Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:2604.27009

Geometric-Phase (Pancharatnam-Berry) Correction for Time-Bin Photonic Qudits: A Calibration and Feed-Forward Algorithm

Ryan Rae-Cheng Wee, Josef Bruzzese

quant-phSubmitted Apr 29, 2026• Announced Apr 30, 2026• 0 citations
v1 · Apr 29, 2026v2 · Sep 1, 2026
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We develop a geometric-phase framework for time-bin photonic qudits and propose a practical calibration and feed-forward algorithm for separating and compensating geometric (Pancharatnam-Berry), dynamical, and technical phase contributions. Working directly in the time-bin basis, we use a parallel-transport gauge so that geometric phases appear as experimentally identifiable interferometric offsets, while all phase contributions enter a bin-resolved diagonal transformation. We model state preparation by cascaded unbalanced Mach-Zehnder interferometers and give closed-form amplitudes for arbitrary splitting ratios and phases, noting that single-port monitoring requires post-selection and renormalization. We then give an interferometric tomography recipe based on adjacent-bin scans, with a Fourier-basis cross-check, and a multi-mode numerical case study that separates total, dynamical, and geometric phases and demonstrates feed-forward compensation. The protocol uses standard components, including tunable UMZIs, phase shifters or EOMs, and single-photon detectors, together with routine phase sweeps. It is intended for small to moderate dimensions, approximately d up to 10, and provides a scalable route toward phase-stable high-dimensional temporal encoding for quantum communication and photonic processing.

Comments
14 pages, 5 figures. Versioned code and numerical routines available at https://github.com/97RyanW/Geometric-Phase-Correction and https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19349233

Related papers

A Gauge-Covariant Theoretical Framework for Non-Abelian Holonomy Estimation and Feed-Forward Correction in Time-Bin Photonic Qudits

N. Josef Bruzzese

We develop a theoretical and computational framework for estimating and correcting non-Abelian geometric distortions in time-bin photonic qudit processing when the relevant encoded object is a transported logical subspace rather than a collection of independent rays. In such settings, for example under mode mixing, multiplexed routing, or effective degeneracies, the geometric contribution is naturally matrix-valued and is described by a Wilczek-Zee holonomy on a rank-$m$ sub-bundle of the ambient Hilbert space. The framework generalises prior Abelian time-bin Pancharatnam-Berry feed-forward calibration, in which geometric distortions are represented by bin-resolved scalar phases, to the non-Abelian, matrix-valued case. We construct a gauge-covariant discrete estimator from overlap matrices between successive subspace frames: the polar factor of each overlap gives a unitary backward frame comparator, and the adjoint comparators compose to approximate the forward path-ordered exponential of the Wilczek-Zee connection. We prove gauge covariance under frame changes, polar optimality of the local comparator, consistency under partition refinement, and perturbative stability under well-conditioned overlap errors. We then formulate left- and right-acting feed-forward correction rules for removing the estimated holonomy from an effective logical operation. The work does not assume a device-specific transfer matrix, loss model, detector model, or experimental calibration pipeline; numerical studies use synthetic non-Abelian transport models to validate covariance, convergence, conditioning dependence, and correction fidelity.

quant-pharXiv:2605.26697•May 27, 2026•0 citations

Geometric phase-assisted single-parameter controlled phase compensation enabling quantum key distribution using phase-shifted Bell states

Ayan Kumar Nai, G. K. Samanta

Abstract Entanglement-based quantum key distribution (QKD) relies on the distribution of high-fidelity maximally entangled Bell states, typically generated via spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC). In practical systems, unwanted relative phases arise from birefringence, pump-beam contributions, imperfect photon-pair generation, transmission through physical channels, and collection, transforming Bell states into phase-shifted states. This degrades interference visibility, increases the quantum bit error rate (QBER), and limits secure key generation. Conventional compensation techniques, such as birefringent crystals, interferometric stabilization, and spatial light modulators, are often impractical in real-world deployments. Here, we demonstrate a simple and versatile phase-compensation scheme that can be implemented at either the source or the receiver to eliminate arbitrary relative phases in Bell states. We theoretically and experimentally quantify the dependence of QBER in the BBM92 protocol on the relative phase and show that geometric-phase-based control can effectively restore entanglement quality. In a proof-of-concept experiment using a nondegenerate polarization Bell state, we achieve a fidelity exceeding 95% and reduce QBER below the 11% security threshold required for secure QKD. This robust approach enables practical phase control in entangled-photon systems and can be extended to time-bin QKD via time–polarization mapping, offering a promising route toward stable, low-QBER quantum communication.

Scientific Reports•Aug 17, 2026•0 citations

Geometric phase-assisted simple phase compensation enabling quantum key distribution using phase-shifted Bell states

Ayan Kumar Nai, G. K. Samanta

Entanglement-based quantum key distribution (QKD) relies on the distribution of high-fidelity maximally entangled Bell states, typically generated via spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC). In practical systems, unwanted relative phases arise from birefringence, pump-beam contributions, imperfect photon-pair generation, transmission through physical channels, and collection, transforming Bell states into phase-shifted states. This degrades interference visibility, increases the quantum bit error rate (QBER), and limits secure key generation. Conventional compensation techniques, such as birefringent crystals, interferometric stabilization, and spatial light modulators, are often impractical in real-world deployments. Here, we demonstrate a simple and versatile phase-compensation scheme that can be implemented at either the source or the receiver to eliminate arbitrary relative phases in Bell states. We theoretically and experimentally quantify the dependence of QBER in the BBM92 protocol on the relative phase and show that geometric-phase-based control can effectively restore entanglement quality. In a proof-of-concept experiment using a nondegenerate polarization Bell state, we achieve a fidelity exceeding 95% and reduce QBER below the 11% security threshold required for secure QKD. This robust approach enables practical phase control in entangled-photon systems and can be extended to time-bin QKD via time-polarization mapping, offering a promising route toward stable, low-QBER quantum communication.

quant-pharXiv:2604.12272•Apr 15, 2026•0 citations

Robust Approach for Time-Bin-Encoded Photonic Quantum Information Protocols

Simon White, Emanuele Polino, Farzad Ghafari +6 more

Quantum states encoded in the time-bin degree of freedom of photons represent a fundamental resource for quantum information protocols. Traditional methods for generating and measuring time-bin-encoded quantum states face severe challenges due to optical instabilities, complex setups, and timing resolution requirements. To circumvent these issues, we leverage an approach based on Hong-Ou-Mandel interference and we propose and demonstrate a robust and scalable protocol to generate and measure arbitrary high-dimensional time-bin quantum states. We experimentally implement the protocol in a photonic setup reaching high-fidelity quantum state tomographies of two- and three-dimensional quantum states encoded in time bins with short temporal separation. We also certify intrasystem polarization-time entanglement of single photons through a nonclassicality test. The demonstrated approach enables access to high-dimensional states and tasks that are practically inaccessible with standard schemes, thereby advancing fundamental quantum information science and opening applications in quantum communication.

arXiv:2404.16106•Physical Review Letters•May 6, 2025•12 citations

Programming Quantum Measurements of Time inside a Complex Medium

Dylan Danese, Vatshal Srivastav, Will McCutcheon +2 more

The temporal degree-of-freedom of light is incredibly powerful for modern quantum technologies, enabling large-scale quantum computing architectures and record key-rates in quantum key distribution. However, the generalized measurement of large and complex quantum superpositions of the time-of-arrival of a photon remains a unique experimental challenge. Conventional methods based on unbalanced Franson-type interferometers scale poorly with dimension, requiring multiple cascaded devices and active phase stabilization. In addition, these are limited by construction to a restricted set of phase-only superposition measurements. Here we show how the coupling of spatial and temporal information inside a single multi-mode fiber can be harnessed to program completely generalized measurements for high-dimensional superpositions of photonic time-bin. Using the multi-spectral transmission matrix of the fiber, we find special sets of spatial modes that experience distinct dispersive delays through the fiber. By exciting coherent superpositions of these spatial modes, we engineer the equivalent of large, unbalanced multi-mode interferometers inside the fiber and use them to perform high-quality measurements of arbitrary time-bin superpositions in up to dimension 11. The single fiber functions as a scalable, common-path interferometer for time-bin qudits that significantly eases the experimental overheads of standard approaches based on unbalanced Franson-type interferometers, serving as an essential tool for quantum technologies that harness the temporal properties of light.

quant-pharXiv:2601.14565•Jan 22, 2026•0 citations

Tomographic reconstruction of time-bin-entangled qudits

Samantha J. Nowierski, Neal N. Oza, Prem Kumar +1 more

We describe an experimental implementation to generate and measure high-dimensional time-bin-entangled qudits. Two-photon time-bin entanglement is generated via spontaneous four-wave mixing in single-mode fiber. Unbalanced Mach-Zehnder interferometers transform selected time bins to polarization entanglement, allowing standard polarization-projective measurements to be used for complete quantum state tomographic reconstruction. Here we generate maximally entangled qubits $(d=2)$, qutrits $(d=3)$, and ququarts $(d=4)$, as well as other phase-modulated nonmaximally entangled qubits and qutrits. We reconstruct and verify all generated states using maximum-likelihood estimation tomography.

Physical Review A•Oct 19, 2016•18 citations
We develop a geometric-phase framework for time-bin photonic qudits and propose a practical calibration and feed-forward algorithm for separating and compensating geometric (Pancharatnam-Berry), dynamical, and technical phase contributions. Working directly in the time-bin basis, we use a parallel-transport gauge so that geometric phases appear as experimentally identifiable interferometric offsets, while all phase contributions enter a bin-resolved diagonal transformation. We model state preparation by cascaded unbalanced Mach-Zehnder interferometers and give closed-form amplitudes for arbitrary splitting ratios and phases, noting that single-port monitoring requires post-selection and renormalization. We then give an interferometric tomography recipe based on adjacent-bin scans, with a Fourier-basis cross-check, and a multi-mode numerical case study that separates total, dynamical, and geometric phases and demonstrates feed-forward compensation. The protocol uses standard components, including tunable UMZIs, phase shifters or EOMs, and single-photon detectors, together with routine phase sweeps. It is intended for small to moderate dimensions, approximately d up to 10, and provides a scalable route toward phase-stable high-dimensional temporal encoding for quantum communication and photonic processing.
We develop a theoretical and computational framework for estimating and correcting non-Abelian geometric distortions in time-bin photonic qudit processing when the relevant encoded object is a transported logical subspace rather than a collection of independent rays. In such settings, for example under mode mixing, multiplexed routing, or effective degeneracies, the geometric contribution is naturally matrix-valued and is described by a Wilczek-Zee holonomy on a rank-mmm sub-bundle of the ambient Hilbert space. The framework generalises prior Abelian time-bin Pancharatnam-Berry feed-forward calibration, in which geometric distortions are represented by bin-resolved scalar phases, to the non-Abelian, matrix-valued case. We construct a gauge-covariant discrete estimator from overlap matrices between successive subspace frames: the polar factor of each overlap gives a unitary backward frame comparator, and the adjoint comparators compose to approximate the forward path-ordered exponential of the Wilczek-Zee connection. We prove gauge covariance under frame changes, polar optimality of the local comparator, consistency under partition refinement, and perturbative stability under well-conditioned overlap errors. We then formulate left- and right-acting feed-forward correction rules for removing the estimated holonomy from an effective logical operation. The work does not assume a device-specific transfer matrix, loss model, detector model, or experimental calibration pipeline; numerical studies use synthetic non-Abelian transport models to validate covariance, convergence, conditioning dependence, and correction fidelity.
Abstract Entanglement-based quantum key distribution (QKD) relies on the distribution of high-fidelity maximally entangled Bell states, typically generated via spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC). In practical systems, unwanted relative phases arise from birefringence, pump-beam contributions, imperfect photon-pair generation, transmission through physical channels, and collection, transforming Bell states into phase-shifted states. This degrades interference visibility, increases the quantum bit error rate (QBER), and limits secure key generation. Conventional compensation techniques, such as birefringent crystals, interferometric stabilization, and spatial light modulators, are often impractical in real-world deployments. Here, we demonstrate a simple and versatile phase-compensation scheme that can be implemented at either the source or the receiver to eliminate arbitrary relative phases in Bell states. We theoretically and experimentally quantify the dependence of QBER in the BBM92 protocol on the relative phase and show that geometric-phase-based control can effectively restore entanglement quality. In a proof-of-concept experiment using a nondegenerate polarization Bell state, we achieve a fidelity exceeding 95% and reduce QBER below the 11% security threshold required for secure QKD. This robust approach enables practical phase control in entangled-photon systems and can be extended to time-bin QKD via time–polarization mapping, offering a promising route toward stable, low-QBER quantum communication.
Entanglement-based quantum key distribution (QKD) relies on the distribution of high-fidelity maximally entangled Bell states, typically generated via spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC). In practical systems, unwanted relative phases arise from birefringence, pump-beam contributions, imperfect photon-pair generation, transmission through physical channels, and collection, transforming Bell states into phase-shifted states. This degrades interference visibility, increases the quantum bit error rate (QBER), and limits secure key generation. Conventional compensation techniques, such as birefringent crystals, interferometric stabilization, and spatial light modulators, are often impractical in real-world deployments. Here, we demonstrate a simple and versatile phase-compensation scheme that can be implemented at either the source or the receiver to eliminate arbitrary relative phases in Bell states. We theoretically and experimentally quantify the dependence of QBER in the BBM92 protocol on the relative phase and show that geometric-phase-based control can effectively restore entanglement quality. In a proof-of-concept experiment using a nondegenerate polarization Bell state, we achieve a fidelity exceeding 95% and reduce QBER below the 11% security threshold required for secure QKD. This robust approach enables practical phase control in entangled-photon systems and can be extended to time-bin QKD via time-polarization mapping, offering a promising route toward stable, low-QBER quantum communication.
Quantum states encoded in the time-bin degree of freedom of photons represent a fundamental resource for quantum information protocols. Traditional methods for generating and measuring time-bin-encoded quantum states face severe challenges due to optical instabilities, complex setups, and timing resolution requirements. To circumvent these issues, we leverage an approach based on Hong-Ou-Mandel interference and we propose and demonstrate a robust and scalable protocol to generate and measure arbitrary high-dimensional time-bin quantum states. We experimentally implement the protocol in a photonic setup reaching high-fidelity quantum state tomographies of two- and three-dimensional quantum states encoded in time bins with short temporal separation. We also certify intrasystem polarization-time entanglement of single photons through a nonclassicality test. The demonstrated approach enables access to high-dimensional states and tasks that are practically inaccessible with standard schemes, thereby advancing fundamental quantum information science and opening applications in quantum communication.
The temporal degree-of-freedom of light is incredibly powerful for modern quantum technologies, enabling large-scale quantum computing architectures and record key-rates in quantum key distribution. However, the generalized measurement of large and complex quantum superpositions of the time-of-arrival of a photon remains a unique experimental challenge. Conventional methods based on unbalanced Franson-type interferometers scale poorly with dimension, requiring multiple cascaded devices and active phase stabilization. In addition, these are limited by construction to a restricted set of phase-only superposition measurements. Here we show how the coupling of spatial and temporal information inside a single multi-mode fiber can be harnessed to program completely generalized measurements for high-dimensional superpositions of photonic time-bin. Using the multi-spectral transmission matrix of the fiber, we find special sets of spatial modes that experience distinct dispersive delays through the fiber. By exciting coherent superpositions of these spatial modes, we engineer the equivalent of large, unbalanced multi-mode interferometers inside the fiber and use them to perform high-quality measurements of arbitrary time-bin superpositions in up to dimension 11. The single fiber functions as a scalable, common-path interferometer for time-bin qudits that significantly eases the experimental overheads of standard approaches based on unbalanced Franson-type interferometers, serving as an essential tool for quantum technologies that harness the temporal properties of light.
We describe an experimental implementation to generate and measure high-dimensional time-bin-entangled qudits. Two-photon time-bin entanglement is generated via spontaneous four-wave mixing in single-mode fiber. Unbalanced Mach-Zehnder interferometers transform selected time bins to polarization entanglement, allowing standard polarization-projective measurements to be used for complete quantum state tomographic reconstruction. Here we generate maximally entangled qubits (d=2)(d=2)(d=2), qutrits (d=3)(d=3)(d=3), and ququarts (d=4)(d=4)(d=4), as well as other phase-modulated nonmaximally entangled qubits and qutrits. We reconstruct and verify all generated states using maximum-likelihood estimation tomography.