Quantum (Feb 2024)

Photonic entanglement during a zero-g flight

  • Julius Arthur Bittermann,
  • Lukas Bulla,
  • Sebastian Ecker,
  • Sebastian Philipp Neumann,
  • Matthias Fink,
  • Martin Bohmann,
  • Nicolai Friis,
  • Marcus Huber,
  • Rupert Ursin

DOI
https://doi.org/10.22331/q-2024-02-15-1256
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8
p. 1256

Abstract

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Quantum technologies have matured to the point that we can test fundamental quantum phenomena under extreme conditions. Specifically, entanglement, a cornerstone of modern quantum information theory, can be robustly produced and verified in various adverse environments. We take these tests further and implement a high-quality Bell experiment during a parabolic flight, transitioning from microgravity to hypergravity of 1.8 g while continuously observing Bell violation, with Bell-CHSH parameters between $S=-2.6202$ and $-2.7323$, an average of $\overline{S} = -2.680$, and average standard deviation of $\overline{\Delta S} = 0.014$. This violation is unaffected both by uniform and non-uniform acceleration. This experiment demonstrates the stability of current quantum communication platforms for space-based applications and adds an important reference point for testing the interplay of non-inertial motion and quantum information.