Nine-Path Quantum Interferometry over 60 km

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates high-dimensional quantum interferometry over 60 km using frequency paths in optical fibers, enabling robust multi-path interference with entangled photons for quantum networks.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach using frequency paths instead of spatial paths for long-distance quantum interferometry in optical fibers.

Findings

Successful multi-path interference with 9 frequency paths after 60 km

Robust restoration of interference patterns post long-distance transmission

Advancement in high-dimensional quantum communication techniques

Abstract

The archetypal quantum interferometry experiment yields an interference pattern that results from the indistinguishability of two spatiotemporal paths available to a photon or to a pair of entangled photons. A fundamental challenge in quantum interferometry is to perform such experiments with a higher number of paths, and over large distances. In particular, the distribution of such highly entangled states in long-haul optical fibers is one of the core concepts behind quantum information networks. We demonstrate that using indistinguishable frequency paths instead of spatiotemporal ones allows for robust, high-dimensional quantum interferometry in optical fibers. In our system, twin-photons from an Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) pair are offered up to 9 frequency paths after propagation in long-haul optical fibers, and we show that the multi-path quantum interference patterns can be faithfully restored after the photons travel a total distance of up to 60 km.