Complete experimental toolbox for alignment-free quantum communication

Year: 2012

Authors: D’Ambrosio V., Nagali E., Walborn S.P., Aolita L., Slussarenko S., Marrucci L., Sciarrino F.

Autors Affiliation: Dipartimento di Fisica, Sapienza Università di Roma, piazzale Aldo Moro 5, IT-00185 Roma, Italy;
Departamento de Matematica, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Caixa Postal 702, 30123-970 Belo Horizonte-MG, Brazil;
Consorzio Nazionale Interuniversitario per le Scienze Fisiche della Materia, piazzale Aldo Moro 5, IT-00185 Roma, Italy;
Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, via della Lungara 10, IT-00165 Roma, Italy

Abstract: Quantum communication employs the counter-intuitive features of quantum physics for tasks that are impossible in the classical world. It is crucial for testing the foundations of quantum theory and promises to revolutionize information and communication technologies. However, to execute even the simplest quantum transmission, one must establish, and maintain, a shared reference frame. This introduces a considerable overhead in resources, particularly if the parties are in motion or rotating relative to each other. Here we experimentally show how to circumvent this problem with the transmission of quantum information encoded in rotationally invariant states of single photons. By developing a complete toolbox for the efficient encoding and decoding of quantum information in such photonic qubits, we demonstrate the feasibility of alignment-free quantum key-distribution, and perform proof-of-principle demonstrations of alignment-free entanglement distribution and Bell-inequality violation. The scheme should find applications in fundamental tests of quantum mechanics and satellite-based quantum communication.

Journal/Review: NATURE COMMUNICATIONS

Volume: 3      Pages from: 961  to: 961

More Information: This work was supported by the FET-Open Program, within the 7th Framework Programme of the European Commission under Grant No. 255914, PHORBITECH, FIRB-Futuro in Ricerca (HYTEQ), the Brazilian funding agencies FAPERJ, CNPq and the INCT-Informacao Quantica, and the Spanish Juan de la Cierva foundation.
DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1951

ImpactFactor: 10.015
Citations: 270
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