Localization-based two-photon wave-function information encoding

TL;DR

This paper introduces a quantum communication method that encodes basis information within the same photons used for data, leveraging wave function localization to improve noise resilience and eliminate the need for classical basis sharing.

Contribution

The authors demonstrate a novel quantum communication scheme that encodes basis information non-classically within the same photons used for data transmission.

Findings

Reduced error rates at higher dimensions

Enhanced noise resilience in quantum communication

Successful experimental implementation using multi-mode fiber and adaptive optics

Abstract

In quantum communications, quantum states are employed for the transmission of information between remote parties. This usually requires sharing knowledge of the measurement bases through a classical public channel in the sifting phase of the protocol. Here, we demonstrate a quantum communication scheme where the information on the bases is shared "non-classically", by encoding this information in the same photons used for carrying the data. This enhanced capability is achieved by exploiting the localization of the photonic wave function, observed when the photons are prepared and measured in the same quantum basis. We experimentally implement our scheme by using a multi-mode optical fiber coupled to an adaptive optics setup. We observe a decrease in the error rate for higher dimensionality, indicating an improved resilience against noise.