Compact and stable source of polarization-entangled photon-pairs based on a folded linear displacement interferometer

Sarah E. McCarthy; Ali Anwar; Daniel K. L. Oi; Loyd J. McKnight

doi:10.48550/arXiv.2503.19838

Compact and stable source of polarization-entangled photon-pairs based on a folded linear displacement interferometer

Sarah E. McCarthy, Ali Anwar, Daniel K. L. Oi, Loyd J. McKnight

Research output: Working paper/Preprint/Pre-registration › Working Paper/Preprint

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Abstract

The realization of quantum networks requires the development of robust low size, weight and power (SWaP) systems suitable for operation under harsh environments in remote and mobile nodes such as satellites. We present a source of polarization-entangled photon-pairs in a folded linear displacement interferometer based on spontaneous parametric down conversion using a Type-0 periodically poled potassium titanyl phosphate crystal. Featuring a compact and stable double-pass geometry using a corner-cube retroreflector, the source has a detected pair rate of 2.5 M pairs/s/mW with a Bell state fidelity of 94.1% +/- 2.1%. The qualities and demonstrated performance of the source make it suitable for deployment in entanglement-based quantum networks.

Original language	English
Place of Publication	Ithaca, NY
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2503.19838
Publication status	Published - 27 Mar 2025

Funding

Innovate UK project NextSTEPS 10031944, EPSRC Research Excellence Award Studentship (EP/T517938/1), EPSRC Quantum Technology Hub in Quantum Communication (EP/T001011/1), EPSRC International Network in Space Quantum Technologies (EP/W027011/1), and the EPSRC Integrated Quantum Networks Hub (EP/Z533208/1).

Keywords

quantum networks
physics.optics
photon-pairs
interferometer

Access to Document

10.48550/arXiv.2503.19838Licence: CC BY 4.0

McCarthy-etal-2025-Compact-and-stable-source-of-polarization-entangled-photon-pairsFinal published version, 5.52 MBLicence: CC BY 4.0

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Doctoral Training Partnership 2020-2021 University of Strathclyde | McCarthy, Sarah
Oi, D. (Principal Investigator), Caspani, L. (Co-investigator) & McCarthy, S. (Research Co-investigator)
EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council)
1/10/22 → 1/10/26
Project: Research Studentship - Internally Allocated
International Network in Space Quantum Technologies
Oi, D. (Principal Investigator) & Griffin, P. (Co-investigator)
EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council)
14/02/22 → 31/08/25
Project: Research

Compact and stable source of polarization-entangled photon-pairs based on a folded linear displacement interferometer
McCarthy, S. E., Anwar, A., Oi, D. K. L. & McKnight, L. J., 3 Sept 2025, In: Optics Express. 33, 18, p. 38657-38668 12 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Cite this

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title = "Compact and stable source of polarization-entangled photon-pairs based on a folded linear displacement interferometer",

abstract = "The realization of quantum networks requires the development of robust low size, weight and power (SWaP) systems suitable for operation under harsh environments in remote and mobile nodes such as satellites. We present a source of polarization-entangled photon-pairs in a folded linear displacement interferometer based on spontaneous parametric down conversion using a Type-0 periodically poled potassium titanyl phosphate crystal. Featuring a compact and stable double-pass geometry using a corner-cube retroreflector, the source has a detected pair rate of 2.5 M pairs/s/mW with a Bell state fidelity of 94.1\% +/- 2.1\%. The qualities and demonstrated performance of the source make it suitable for deployment in entanglement-based quantum networks.",

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AB - The realization of quantum networks requires the development of robust low size, weight and power (SWaP) systems suitable for operation under harsh environments in remote and mobile nodes such as satellites. We present a source of polarization-entangled photon-pairs in a folded linear displacement interferometer based on spontaneous parametric down conversion using a Type-0 periodically poled potassium titanyl phosphate crystal. Featuring a compact and stable double-pass geometry using a corner-cube retroreflector, the source has a detected pair rate of 2.5 M pairs/s/mW with a Bell state fidelity of 94.1% +/- 2.1%. The qualities and demonstrated performance of the source make it suitable for deployment in entanglement-based quantum networks.

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BT - Compact and stable source of polarization-entangled photon-pairs based on a folded linear displacement interferometer

CY - Ithaca, NY

ER -

Compact and stable source of polarization-entangled photon-pairs based on a folded linear displacement interferometer

Abstract

Funding

Keywords

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Projects

Doctoral Training Partnership 2020-2021 University of Strathclyde | McCarthy, Sarah

International Network in Space Quantum Technologies

Research output

Compact and stable source of polarization-entangled photon-pairs based on a folded linear displacement interferometer

Cite this