Quantum and coherent signal transmission on a single-frequency channel via the electro-optic serrodyne technique

authored by

Philip Rübeling, Jan Heine, Robert Johanning, Michael Kues

Abstract

Fiber-optical networks are well established to accommodate global data traffic via coherent information transmission. The next generation of telecommunications will require the integration of quantum information into fiber-optic networks, e.g., for quantum key distribution. A promising and scalable route to enable quantum networking is encoding quantum information into the frequency of photons. While the cointegration of frequency-entangled photons with coherent information transmission is achieved via spectral multiplexing, more resource-efficient approaches are required. In this work, we introduce and experimentally demonstrate a transceiver concept that enables the transmission of coherent and frequency-entangled photons over a single-frequency channel. Our concept leverages the serrodyne technique via electro-optic phase modulation leading to very different dynamics for entangled and coherent photons. This enables temporal multiplexing of the respective signals. We demonstrate the preservation of entanglement over the channel in the presence of coherent light. Our approach reveals a strong potential for efficient bandwidth use in hybrid networks.

Organisation(s)

Institute of Photonics
PhoenixD: Photonics, Optics, and Engineering - Innovation Across Disciplines

Type

Article

Journal

Science advances

Volume

10

No. of pages

7

ISSN

2375-2548

Publication date

07.2024

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adn8907 (Access: Open)