Compact sub-GHz bandwidth single-mode time-energy entangled photon source for high-speed quantum networks

Abstract

The potential data rate of a quantum network is limited by both the entangled photon source (EPS) and quantum memories. While an EPS whose bandwidth matches with broadband quantum memories (BBQMs) can take full advantage of the data rate limit. The EPS with GHz bandwidth is usually obtained by filtering a much broader EPS signal that is generated through spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC), but this method has obvious drawbacks, e.g., large space requirements, high losses, and relatively low spectral brightness. Here we present a simple and compact method to generate a single-longitudinal-mode sub-GHz-bandwidth time-energy EPS using a type-II SPDC in a submillimeter-length Fabry-Pérot cavity. The proposed photon source offers superior figures of merit: the maximum coincidence to accidental coincidence ratio is approximately 1800, the detected pair flux ranges up to 42500 pairs per second, and the source has a high Klyshko efficiency of 25%. This source offers a very potential way to boost the performance of broadband quantum memories and high-speed quantum networks.