Clock synchronization with pulsed single photon sources

Abstract

Photonic quantum technology requires precise, time-resolved identification of photodetection events. In distributed quantum networks with spatially separated and drifting time references, achieving high precision is particularly challenging. Here we build on recent advances of using single-photons for time transfer and employ and quantify a fast postprocessing scheme designed to pulsed single-photon sources. We achieve an average root mean square synchronization jitter of 3.0 ps. The stability is comparable to systems with Rb vapor cell clocks with 19 ps at 1 second integration time, in terms of Allan time deviation. Remarkably, our stability is even better than classical high-precision time transfer, like the White Rabbit protocol, although we use significantly less signal (single-photon level). Our algorithms allow local processing of the data and do not affect the secure key rate. It compensates substantial clock imperfections from crystal oscillators and we foresee great potential for low signal scenarios. The findings are naturally suited to quantum communication networks and provide simultaneous time transfer without adding hardware or modifying the single-photon sources.