Non-Markovianity in High-Dimensional Open Quantum Systems using Next-generation Multicore Optical Fibers

Santiago Rojas-Rojas1,2, Daniel Martínez1,2,3,4, Kei Sawada1,2, Luciano Pereira5, Stephen P. Walborn1,2, Esteban S. Gómez1,2, Nadja K. Bernardes6, and Gustavo Lima1,2

1Departamento de Física, Universidad de Concepción, casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
2Millennium Institute for Research in Optics, Universidad de Concepción, casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
3University of Vienna, Faculty of Physics, Vienna Center for Quantum Science and Technology (VCQ), 1090 Vienna, Austria
4Christian Doppler Laboratory for Photonic Quantum Computer, Faculty of Physics, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
5Instituto de Física Fundamental IFF-CSIC, Calle Serrano 113b, Madrid 28006, España
6Departamento de Física, Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, 50670-901 Recife-PE, Brazil

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Abstract

With the advent of quantum technology, the interest in communication tasks assisted by quantum systems has increased both in academia and industry. Nonetheless, the transmission of a quantum state in real-world scenarios is bounded by environmental noise, so that the quantum channel is an open quantum system. In this work, we study a high-dimensional open quantum system in a multicore optical fiber by characterizing the environmental interaction as quantum operations corresponding to probabilistic phase-flips. The experimental platform is currently state-of-the-art for quantum information processing with multicore fibers. At a given evolution stage we observe a non-Markovian behaviour of the system, which is demonstrated through a proof-of-principle implementation of the Quantum Vault protocol. A better understanding of phase-noise in multicore fibers will improve several real-world communication protocols, since they are a prime candidate to be adopted in future telecom networks.

One new strategy for increasing fiber information capacity is the space-division multiplexing technique based on Multicore Fibers (MCFs). In this case, more information is sent through the fiber by exploiting the extra cores contained in its cladding. MCFs have allowed transmission rates up to 305 Tb/s, setting a new benchmark for ultrahigh transmission capabilities.

In real large-scale networks, optical fibers are exposed to perturbations induced by environmental noise. As a result, information loss happens according to the Markov hypothesis behind noise processes.

In this work, we introduce a new model to characterize the phase-noise of multicore optical fibers. In our model, the environmental interaction is treated as quantum operations corresponding to probabilistic phase-flips acting on quantum systems transmitted over the fiber. The types of phase flips considered in the model can readily be changed moving from simplified scenarios to unrestricted ones.

Our model is also a tool to identify scenarios leading to Non-markovian processes occurring in these fibers, as we demonstrate experimentally. Non-markovianity has been identified as a new resource for the protection and processing of information, thus we also study conditions that could lead to improved channel performance.

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