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Physical Review Applied

Simultaneous Decoherence and Mode Filtering in Quantum Channels: Theory and Experiment

Gabriele Riccardi, Cristian Antonelli, Daniel E. Jones, Michael Brodsky

Published Jan 29, 2021• 11 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Quantum networks require robust quantum channels for fast and reliable entanglement distribution over long distances. As quantum communication technology matures, it moves towards utilizing actual fibers and free-space optical channels; hence, there is a growing need for physical models describing decoherence. The primary challenge is to concisely account for numerous elements distributed along a lengthy optical path. We approach this by starting with an analytical model of a channel with just two lumped elements, one representing decoherence and the other representing mode filtering. Interestingly, we find that, while the order and relative orientation of the two elements produce a wealth of different biphoton states, the amount of entanglement in all those states is exactly the same. Then, we conduct experiments that implement this channel and verify our analytical findings. Finally, we expand our analysis to the most general fiber polarization channel, comprising a statistically significant number of arbitrarily oriented elements. We show that, over an ample range of parameters, our two-element analytical model is quite accurate in describing the fiber channel, which makes it an effective tool for gaining insights into channel decoherence.

DOI
10.1103/physrevapplied.15.014060

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Quantum networks require robust quantum channels for fast and reliable entanglement distribution over long distances. As quantum communication technology matures, it moves towards utilizing actual fibers and free-space optical channels; hence, there is a growing need for physical models describing decoherence. The primary challenge is to concisely account for numerous elements distributed along a lengthy optical path. We approach this by starting with an analytical model of a channel with just two lumped elements, one representing decoherence and the other representing mode filtering. Interestingly, we find that, while the order and relative orientation of the two elements produce a wealth of different biphoton states, the amount of entanglement in all those states is exactly the same. Then, we conduct experiments that implement this channel and verify our analytical findings. Finally, we expand our analysis to the most general fiber polarization channel, comprising a statistically significant number of arbitrarily oriented elements. We show that, over an ample range of parameters, our two-element analytical model is quite accurate in describing the fiber channel, which makes it an effective tool for gaining insights into channel decoherence.
Abstract Quantum networks entangle remote nodes by distributing quantum states, which inevitably suffer from decoherence while traversing quantum channels. Pertinent decoherence mechanisms govern the reach, quality, and rate of distributed entanglement. Hence recognizing, understanding, and modeling those mechanisms is a crucial step in building quantum networks. Here, we study real-life fiber-optic quantum channels that partially filter individual modes of transmitted polarization-entangled states and are capable of introducing dephasing. First, we theoretically model and experimentally demonstrate the combined effect of two independent and arbitrarily oriented polarization-dependent loss elements experienced by each photon of an entangled photon pair. Then, we showcase the compensation of lost entanglement by properly adjusting the channels’ properties and discuss the resulting tradeoff between the entanglement quality and rate. Our results provide insights into the robustness of fiber-optic quantum channels, thus taking an important step toward the realization of quantum networks.
Characterizing the ultimate rates of entanglement distribution is essential for both foundational research and the practical deployment of quantum technologies. To investigate these limits, we introduce an erasure-Pauli channel model describing the distribution of polarization entanglement in optical fiber. For this channel, we derive bounds on the rates of entanglement distribution and related quantum resources under optimal local operations and two-way classical communication (two-way assisted capacities). This framework allows us to determine the optimal repeaterless performance achievable over realistic optical fibers affected by polarization mode dispersion, thereby providing a rigorous benchmark for long-distance polarization-based quantum communication. Finally, we show that both our model and capacity bounds remain robust under the inclusion of detector dark counts.
In this research work, I have derived analytical models for decoherence of quantum states of light and developed techniques based on Dynamical Decoupling (DD) to preserve the quantum state of polarization qubit and Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) qudit in single-mode, multi-mode and specialized optical fibers. In subsequent work, I have derived the analytical model for decoherence of an entangled state in an optical fiber to show that such a decoherence causes loss of entanglement. I also showed that such states can be preserved with DD. In Chapter 1, I have introduced the subject of a quantum computer and its relation to quantum communication. I give a brief overview of fundamental concepts and tools required to understand the subject matter. In Chapter 2, I discuss optical fibers from the perspective of the electromagnetic wave in a waveguide and explain the modes in an optical fiber. Later, I explain about the sources of noise or refractive index fluctuation in an optical fiber and show how to numerically reproduce a model of an optical fiber. In Chapter 3, I introduce the topic of quantum decoherence and discuss in detail an open-loop control technique called Dynamical Decoupling, that is applied to the system to minimize decoherence. I discuss ideal and nonideal pulse sequences used for suppressing decoherence. In Chapter 4, I derive the analytical model for decoherence of a polarization qubit in a single-mode, multi-mode fiber, and decoherence OAM qudit in specialized multi-mode fiber. In Chapter 5, I introduce the topic of entanglement for the bipartite system and multi-partite system, and a measure called concurrence to quantify the entanglement. I then derive the analytic model for decoherence of a pure entangled state and show that decoherence causes loss of entanglement for the case of a pure and mixed Werner-like state. \break In Chapter 6, I discuss the method of numerical simulation and show by numerical simulation that polarization qubit, OAM qudit and entanglement of polarization qudit can be preserved with dynamical decoupling in an optical fiber. In Chapter 7, I have summarized the results and discuss the scope of future work. In the appendix, I have included additional research work not directly related to the current topic of decoherence in an optical fiber. To summarize my research, I have derived a model for decoherence and then numerically showed that a polarization qubit can be preserved in a single mode and multi-mode optical fiber. I
Future quantum networks offer the potential for new communication and computation applications. These quantum networks will undoubtedly require the routing of quantum information between distant parties. In order to reliably achieve the transmission of entangled states over such a network, some entanglement distillation protocol can be implemented on an ensemble of entangled photon pairs. Here, we demonstrate such a protocol by recovering quantum information using local filters on each photon of a polarization-entangled state in the presence of a common source of decoherence in the telecom fiber infrastructure, polarization mode dispersion (PMD).