Quantum time transfer: a practical method for lossy and noisy channels

Abstract: Timing requirements for long-range quantum networking are driven by the necessity of synchronizing the arrival of photons, from independent sources, for Bell-state measurements. Thus, characteristics such as repetition rate and pulse duration influence the precision required to enable quantum networking tasks such as teleportation and entanglement swapping. Some solutions have been proposed utilizing classical laser pulses, frequency combs, and biphoton sources. In this article, we explore the utility of the latter method since it is based upon quantum phenomena, which makes it naturally covert, and potentially quantum secure. Furthermore, it can utilize relatively low performance quantum-photon sources and detection equipment, but provides picosecond-level timing precision even under high loss and high noise channel conditions representative of daytime space-Earth links. Therefore, this method is relevant for daytime space-Earth quantum networking and/or providing high-precision secure timing in GPS denied environments.