High fidelity distribution of triggered polarization-entangled telecom photons via a 36km intra-city fiber network

TL;DR

This study demonstrates high-fidelity distribution of polarization-entangled telecom photons over a 36 km intra-city fiber network using quantum frequency conversion, advancing practical quantum communication infrastructure.

Contribution

It introduces a bi-directional quantum frequency conversion method that preserves entanglement fidelity over long fiber links, enabling integration with existing telecom infrastructure.

Findings

Fidelity to Bell state after conversion: 0.972

Entanglement fidelity after 36 km fiber: 0.945

Successful conversion back to 780 nm with fidelity 0.903

Abstract

Fiber-based distribution of triggered, entangled, single-photon pairs is a key requirement for the future development of terrestrial quantum networks. In this context, semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are promising candidates for deterministic sources of on-demand polarization-entangled photon pairs. So far, the best QD polarization-entangled-pair sources emit in the near-infrared wavelength regime, where the transmission distance in deployed fibers is limited. Here, to be compatible with existing fiber network infrastructures, bi-directional polarization-conserving quantum frequency conversion (QFC) is employed to convert the QD emission from \unit[780]{nm} to telecom wavelengths. We show the preservation of polarization entanglement after QFC (fidelity to Bell state $F_{\phi^+, conv}=0.972\pm0.003$) of the biexciton transition. As a step towards real-world applicability, high entanglement fidelities ($F_{\phi^+, loop}=0.945\pm0.005$) after the propagation of one photon of the entangled pair along a \unit[35.8]{km} field installed standard single mode fiber link are reported. Furthermore, we successfully demonstrate a second polarization-conversing QFC step back to \unit[780]{nm} preserving entanglement ($F_{\phi^+, back}=0.903\pm0.005$). This further prepares the way for interfacing quantum light to various quantum memories.