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Entropy

Suppressing Polarization Mode Dispersion with the Quantum Zeno Effect

I. C. Nodurft, Alejandro Rodriguez Perez, Naveed Naimipour, Harry C. Shaw

Published Jan 1, 2025• 3 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Polarization mode dispersion can introduce quantum decoherence in polarization encoded information, limiting the range of quantum communications protocols. Therefore, strategies to nullify the effect would reduce quantum decoherence and potentially increase the operational range of such technology. We constructed a quantum model of polarization mode dispersion alongside a two-level absorbing material. The two-level material serves to destructively measure one of two orthogonal polarization modes, thus projecting the polarization onto the other state. The theoretical results are supported by a numerical simulation in Mathematica Documentation where we compare the evolution of the polarization state with and without the absorbing material. We find that this strategy is effective in suppressing the effects of polarization mode dispersion, and that this method produces a global phase shift related to the waveguide's birefringent properties.

DOI
10.3390/e27010027

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Polarization mode dispersion can introduce quantum decoherence in polarization encoded information, limiting the range of quantum communications protocols. Therefore, strategies to nullify the effect would reduce quantum decoherence and potentially increase the operational range of such technology. We constructed a quantum model of polarization mode dispersion alongside a two-level absorbing material. The two-level material serves to destructively measure one of two orthogonal polarization modes, thus projecting the polarization onto the other state. The theoretical results are supported by a numerical simulation in Mathematica Documentation where we compare the evolution of the polarization state with and without the absorbing material. We find that this strategy is effective in suppressing the effects of polarization mode dispersion, and that this method produces a global phase shift related to the waveguide's birefringent properties.
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The fragility of quantum coherence fundamentally limits the scalability of quantum technologies, as unavoidable environmental interactions induce decoherence and rapidly degrade quantum properties. The Quantum Zeno Effect offers a powerful route to suppress quantum evolution and protect coherence through frequent measurements, irrespective of the underlying dynamics. However, existing implementations require prior knowledge of the quantum state, severely restricting their applicability. Here we introduce a state- and dynamics-independent protection protocol embedding the system in a larger Hilbert space, temporarily swapping the quantum information from its original degree of freedom to a decoherence-free ancillary one. We experimentally validate the protocol on a quantum optical platform, demonstrating robust preservation of coherence and purity for arbitrary polarization qubits under decoherence, thereby enabling the universal safeguarding of unknown quantum states.
The quantum Zeno effect reveals that continuous observation of a quantum system can significantly alter its evolution. Here, we present a method for establishing polarization entanglement between two initially unentangled photons in coupled waveguides via the quantum Zeno effect. We support our analytical investigation with numerical simulations of the underlying Schrodinger equation describing the system. Further, we extend our technique to three coupled waveguides in a planar configuration and determine the parameters required to generate three-qubit W-states. In contrast to existing schemes based on a vacuum and single-photon encoding, the polarization encoding in our approach is compatible with quantum information protocols that remove photon loss through post-selection. Our findings offer a powerful quantum state engineering approach for photonic quantum information technologies.
One of the fundamental limitations to high bit rate, long distance, telecommunication in optical fibers is Polarization Mode Dispersion (PMD). Here we show how one can adapt bang-bang control techniques for suppressing the decoherence of polarization states in optical fibers by carrying out controlled rotations of polarization at predetermined locations along the fiber. We propose an experimental proof-ofprinciple demonstration of the idea based on the propagation of polarization qubits in a ring-cavity containing birefringent crystals and wave-plates.
The polarization mode dispersion (PMD) in optical fibers poses a major challenge for maintaining the fidelity of quantum states for quantum communications. In this work, a comprehensive model linking the probability of quantum measurement errors (infidelity) to PMD is developed and validated by experimental measurements of differential group delay and quantum bit error rate (QBER). Our research proposes effective methods to mitigate PMD effects for broadband entangled photons and evaluates the impact of higher-order PMD effects. The model provides an experimentally verified framework for the optimization of commercial quantum key distribution systems in deployed fiber-optic lines.