Zero-Added-Loss Entangled-Photon Multiplexing for Ground- and Space-Based Quantum Networks

Abstract

We propose a scheme for optical entanglement distribution in quantum networks based on a quasideterministic entangled photon-pair source. By combining heralded photonic Bell-pair generation with spectral mode conversion to interface with quantum memories, the scheme eliminates switching losses due to multiplexing in the source. We analyze this ``zero-added-loss multiplexing'' (ZALM) Bell-pair source for the particularly challenging problem of long-baseline entanglement distribution via satellites and ground-based memories, where it unlocks additional advantages: (i) the substantially higher channel efficiency $\ensuremath{\eta}$ of downlinks versus uplinks with realistic adaptive optics, and (ii) photon loss occurring before interaction with the quantum memory---i.e., Alice and Bob receiving rather than transmitting---improve entanglement generation rate scaling by $\mathcal{O}(\sqrt{\ensuremath{\eta}})$. Based on numerical analyses, we estimate our protocol to achieve $>10\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\text{ebit/s}$ at memory multiplexing of ${10}^{2}$ spin qubits for ground distance $>{10}^{2}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\text{km}$, with the spin-spin Bell-state fidelity exceeding 99%. Our architecture presents a blueprint for realizing global-scale quantum networks in the near term.