Indistinguishability between arbitrary signal and idler photons for scalable quantum networks
Nijil Lal Cheriya Koyyottummal, Ivan A. Burenkov, Paulina S. Kuo, Oliver Slattery, Sergey V. Polyakov · 2025
Two-photon interference, or the indistinguishability of single photons, such as those from spontaneous parametric down-conversion, is required for scalable quantum networks. Here, we study the indistinguishability between signal and idler photons that are not members of the same bi-photon pair, thereby enabling the scalable and interchangeable use of any photon from any of the conjugated paths of down-conversion. We build a Fourier transform-limited source of indistinguishable photons in the telecom C-band that generates identical signal and idler photons distinguished only by polarization. Using a Hong-Ou-Mandel interferometer, we characterize the indistinguishability between signal and idler photons from independent down-conversion events and compare that to the indistinguishable biphotons. Achieving successful two photon interference between signal and idler photons from independent trials enables our source as a modular unit for practical quantum networks.