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:2607.07805

Robust Ion-Photon Entanglement via Polarization-to-Time-Bin Conversion

Ana Luiza Ferrari, Denton Wu, Mika A. Zalewski, Norbert M. Linke

quant-phSubmitted Jul 8, 2026• Announced Jul 10, 2026• 0 citations
v1 · Jul 8, 2026v2 · Aug 10, 2026
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Time-bin photonic qubits are well-suited for quantum network applications due to their robustness to polarization instability in fiber links and potential for heterogeneous networks. In this work, we implement the first entanglement-preserving polarization-to-time-bin conversion of a photon qubit in an entangled state with a matter qubit. Photons initially generated with polarization encoding are converted to the time-bin basis through a polarization-discriminating asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometer. The photonic qubits are generated via the $1092$ nm transition of a $^{88}$Sr$^{+}$ ion. We measure state fidelity bounds of $0.906 \pm 0.011 \le \mathcal{F} \le 0.934\pm 0.011$, with conversion error $< 0.028$, and find this fidelity is unaffected by depolarizing noise even at full depolarization strength.

Related papers

Telecom-compatible polarization-to-time-bin conversion of atom-photon entanglement for heterogeneous quantum networks

Christian Haen, Julian Groß-Funk, Max Bergerhoff +5 more

A key enabling feature of future quantum networks is interoperability between platforms that operate at different wavelengths and with different qubit encodings. We demonstrate an interface that converts atom-photon entanglement from polarization encoding at an atomic wavelength to time-bin encoding in the telecom C-band. Atom-entangled photons at 854 nm are generated from a single $^{40}$Ca$^+$ ion. After quantum frequency conversion to 1550 nm, the photonic polarization qubit is converted into a time-bin qubit using a fiber-based Mach--Zehnder-like encoder. Full quantum tomography of the final state verifies that the process preserves entanglement with 96.3(4.2)% fidelity. Together with the independent work of Ferrari et al. [arXiv:2607.07805 (2026)], this is the first demonstration of polarization-to-time-bin conversion of photons entangled with a single atomic quantum memory. The telecom-compatible interface enables robust qubit transmission over optical fibers and provides a key building block for heterogeneous quantum networking architectures.

quant-pharXiv:2607.29609•Aug 3, 2026•0 citations

Photonic qubit encoding interconversion for heterogeneous quantum networking

Vedansh Nehra, Richard J. Birrittella, Christopher C. Tison +10 more

Quantum information processing, communication, and sensing networks are being developed with various qubit platforms that use different encoding schemes. Connecting quantum network nodes to distribute entanglement requires matching photon qubit basis encoding. In this work, we implement an interconversion protocol which converts photon qubit encoding from the polarization basis to the time-bin basis, transmits the photons through a transport fiber with large fluctuations in polarization, and converts back to polarization encoding for ease of measurement. This interconversion scheme faithfully transmits a polarization Bell state across the transport fiber by converting sources of infidelity to changes in transmission rate. These results illustrate a practical approach for interfacing distinct qubit platforms to enable modular and flexible operation in heterogeneous quantum networks.

quant-pharXiv:2604.02081•Physical Review A•Apr 3, 2026•0 citations

Efficient time-bin qubit analyzer compatible with multimode optical channels

Jeongwan Jin, Sascha Agne, Jean‐Philippe Bourgoin +3 more

Time-bin encoded photonic qubits are robust against decoherence in birefringent media such as optical fibers, which has led to many successful quantum communication demonstrations, including a Mach-Zehnder interferometer-based system, plug-and-play quantum key distribution (QKD), differential phase shift (DPS) and coherent one-way (COW) protocols, quantum teleportation, and elements of quantum repeaters. Despite these successes, time-bin encoding is considered impractical for turbulent free-space or multimode fiber channels, because spatial and temporal mode distortions hinder the interference required for analysis of time-bin superposition states. Here we present an efficient time-bin qubit analyzer, assisted by passive relay optics, that matches the spatial mode of the interfering paths. Our system demonstrates interference visibility of 89 %, even for strongly distorted optical input modes emerging from multimode fiber under variable angles of incidence. We measure a high level of entanglement between a time-bin qubit and a separate polarization qubit, thereby demonstrating the feasibility of time-bin based quantum communication over optical multimodal links.

•Sep 24, 2015•6 citations

Time-bin-to-polarization conversion of ultrafast photonic qubits

Connor Kupchak, Philip J. Bustard, Khabat Heshami +4 more

The encoding of quantum information in photonic time-bin qubits is apt for long-distance quantum communication schemes. In practice, due to technical constraints such as detector response time, or the speed with which copolarized time-bins can be switched, other encodings, e.g., polarization, are often preferred for operations like state detection. Here, we present the conversion of qubits between polarization and time-bin encodings by using a method that is based on an ultrafast optical Kerr shutter and attain efficiencies of 97% and an average fidelity of $0.827\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.003$ with shutter speeds near 1 ps. Our demonstration delineates an essential requirement for the development of hybrid and high-rate optical quantum networks.

arXiv:1708.07145•Physical Review A•Nov 6, 2017•34 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

Ion–photonic frequency qubit correlations for quantum networks

Steven C Connell, Jordan Scarabel, Elizabeth M Bridge +5 more

Efficiently scaling quantum networks to long ranges requires local processing nodes to perform basic computation and communication tasks. Trapped ions have demonstrated all the properties required for the construction of such a node, storing quantum information for up to 12 min, implementing deterministic high fidelity logic operations on one and two qubits, and ion–photon coupling. While most ions suitable for quantum computing emit photons in visible to near ultraviolet (UV) frequency ranges poorly suited to long-distance fibre optical based networking, recent experiments in frequency conversion provide a technological solution by shifting the photons to frequencies in the telecom band with lower attenuation for fused silica fibres. Encoding qubits in frequency rather than polarization makes them more robust against decoherence from thermal or mechanical noise due to the conservation of energy. To date, ion–photonic frequency qubit entanglement has not been directly shown. Here we demonstrate a frequency encoding ion–photon entanglement protocol in 171 Yb + with correlations equivalent to 92.4(8)% fidelity using a purpose-built UV hyperfine spectrometer. The same robustness against decoherence precludes our passive optical setup from rotating photonic qubits to unconditionally demonstrate entanglement, however it is sufficient to allow us to benchmark the quality of ion–UV photon correlations prior to frequency conversion to the telecom band.

arXiv:2104.05189•Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics•Sep 8, 2021•10 citations
Time-bin photonic qubits are well-suited for quantum network applications due to their robustness to polarization instability in fiber links and potential for heterogeneous networks. In this work, we implement the first entanglement-preserving polarization-to-time-bin conversion of a photon qubit in an entangled state with a matter qubit. Photons initially generated with polarization encoding are converted to the time-bin basis through a polarization-discriminating asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometer. The photonic qubits are generated via the 109210921092 nm transition of a 88^{88}88Sr+^{+}+ ion. We measure state fidelity bounds of 0.906±0.011≤F≤0.934±0.0110.906 \pm 0.011 \le \mathcal{F} \le 0.934\pm 0.0110.906±0.011≤F≤0.934±0.011, with conversion error <0.028< 0.028<0.028, and find this fidelity is unaffected by depolarizing noise even at full depolarization strength.
A key enabling feature of future quantum networks is interoperability between platforms that operate at different wavelengths and with different qubit encodings. We demonstrate an interface that converts atom-photon entanglement from polarization encoding at an atomic wavelength to time-bin encoding in the telecom C-band. Atom-entangled photons at 854 nm are generated from a single 40^{40}40Ca+^++ ion. After quantum frequency conversion to 1550 nm, the photonic polarization qubit is converted into a time-bin qubit using a fiber-based Mach--Zehnder-like encoder. Full quantum tomography of the final state verifies that the process preserves entanglement with 96.3(4.2)% fidelity. Together with the independent work of Ferrari et al. [arXiv:2607.07805 (2026)], this is the first demonstration of polarization-to-time-bin conversion of photons entangled with a single atomic quantum memory. The telecom-compatible interface enables robust qubit transmission over optical fibers and provides a key building block for heterogeneous quantum networking architectures.
Quantum information processing, communication, and sensing networks are being developed with various qubit platforms that use different encoding schemes. Connecting quantum network nodes to distribute entanglement requires matching photon qubit basis encoding. In this work, we implement an interconversion protocol which converts photon qubit encoding from the polarization basis to the time-bin basis, transmits the photons through a transport fiber with large fluctuations in polarization, and converts back to polarization encoding for ease of measurement. This interconversion scheme faithfully transmits a polarization Bell state across the transport fiber by converting sources of infidelity to changes in transmission rate. These results illustrate a practical approach for interfacing distinct qubit platforms to enable modular and flexible operation in heterogeneous quantum networks.
Time-bin encoded photonic qubits are robust against decoherence in birefringent media such as optical fibers, which has led to many successful quantum communication demonstrations, including a Mach-Zehnder interferometer-based system, plug-and-play quantum key distribution (QKD), differential phase shift (DPS) and coherent one-way (COW) protocols, quantum teleportation, and elements of quantum repeaters. Despite these successes, time-bin encoding is considered impractical for turbulent free-space or multimode fiber channels, because spatial and temporal mode distortions hinder the interference required for analysis of time-bin superposition states. Here we present an efficient time-bin qubit analyzer, assisted by passive relay optics, that matches the spatial mode of the interfering paths. Our system demonstrates interference visibility of 89 %, even for strongly distorted optical input modes emerging from multimode fiber under variable angles of incidence. We measure a high level of entanglement between a time-bin qubit and a separate polarization qubit, thereby demonstrating the feasibility of time-bin based quantum communication over optical multimodal links.
The encoding of quantum information in photonic time-bin qubits is apt for long-distance quantum communication schemes. In practice, due to technical constraints such as detector response time, or the speed with which copolarized time-bins can be switched, other encodings, e.g., polarization, are often preferred for operations like state detection. Here, we present the conversion of qubits between polarization and time-bin encodings by using a method that is based on an ultrafast optical Kerr shutter and attain efficiencies of 97% and an average fidelity of $0.827\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.003$ with shutter speeds near 1 ps. Our demonstration delineates an essential requirement for the development of hybrid and high-rate optical quantum networks.
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.
Efficiently scaling quantum networks to long ranges requires local processing nodes to perform basic computation and communication tasks. Trapped ions have demonstrated all the properties required for the construction of such a node, storing quantum information for up to 12 min, implementing deterministic high fidelity logic operations on one and two qubits, and ion–photon coupling. While most ions suitable for quantum computing emit photons in visible to near ultraviolet (UV) frequency ranges poorly suited to long-distance fibre optical based networking, recent experiments in frequency conversion provide a technological solution by shifting the photons to frequencies in the telecom band with lower attenuation for fused silica fibres. Encoding qubits in frequency rather than polarization makes them more robust against decoherence from thermal or mechanical noise due to the conservation of energy. To date, ion–photonic frequency qubit entanglement has not been directly shown. Here we demonstrate a frequency encoding ion–photon entanglement protocol in 171 Yb + with correlations equivalent to 92.4(8)% fidelity using a purpose-built UV hyperfine spectrometer. The same robustness against decoherence precludes our passive optical setup from rotating photonic qubits to unconditionally demonstrate entanglement, however it is sufficient to allow us to benchmark the quality of ion–UV photon correlations prior to frequency conversion to the telecom band.