Superdense coding over optical fiber links with complete Bell-state measurements

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates superdense coding over optical fiber links using complete Bell-state measurements enabled by hyperentanglement, achieving record single-qubit channel capacity and implementing a hybrid quantum-classical image transfer protocol.

Contribution

It presents the first experimental realization of superdense coding over fiber links with complete Bell-state measurement using hyperentanglement, linear optics, and single-photon detectors.

Findings

Achieved the highest single-qubit channel capacity with linear optics.

Demonstrated superdense coding over fiber links.

Implemented a hybrid quantum-classical image transfer protocol.

Abstract

Adopting quantum communication to modern networking requires transmitting quantum information through fiber-based infrastructure. We report the first demonstration of superdense coding over optical fiber links, taking advantage of a complete Bell-state measurement enabled by time-polarization hyperentanglement, linear optics, and common single-photon detectors. We demonstrate the highest single-qubit channel capacity to date utilizing linear optics, $1.665 \pm 0.018$, and we provide a full experimental implementation of a hybrid, quantum-classical communication protocol for image transfer.