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Zero-added-loss entanglement multiplexing using time-bin spectral shearing

Joseph C. Chapman1,*, Muneer Alshowkan1, Jack Postlewaite2, Saikat Guha2, and Nageswara Rao1

  • *Contact author: chapmanjc@ornl.gov
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Phys. Rev. Applied 26, 014018 – Published 7 July, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/c8ss-8vyh

Abstract

High-quality quantum communications that enable important capabilities, such as distributed quantum computing and sensing, will require quantum repeaters for providing high-quality entanglement. To realize high-rate heralded entanglement for quantum repeaters, Chen et al. [Phys. Rev. Appl. 19, 054029 (2023)] proposed a scheme for heralded-multiplexed generation of quasideterministic entangled photon pairs, called zero-added-loss multiplexing (ZALM). Here, we propose a design of the ZALM source using time-bin entanglement and spectral shearing. Additionally, we provide an analysis of experimentally relevant spectral-shearing parameters to optimize the spectral multiplexing. Moreover, we experimentally verify the compatibility of time-bin pulses and spectral shearing, as supported by observation of no appreciable phase shift when the same shearing is applied to both time bins. These results expand the benefits of applying a ZALM source to time-bin entanglement use cases. Moreover, more fully demonstrating time-bin and spectral shearing compatibility clears a path toward a broader use of spectral shearing that provides a deterministic frequency shift of high utility.

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Phys. Rev. Applied 26, 014018– Published 7 July, 2026
  • Received 16 January 2026
  • Revised 3 May 2026
  • Accepted 29 May 2026
Article part of CHORUS
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