Experimental Evaluation of Passive Polarization Compensation Techniques for Fiber-Distributed Polarization-Entangled Photons

Abstract

Entanglement distribution through optical fibers is essential for quantum communication networks; however, fiber transmission can alter photon polarization and modify the observed correlations of polarization-entangled states, necessitating polarization compensation to recover the desired entangled state in the measurement basis. Here, we experimentally evaluate two passive polarization compensation techniques: a free-space Quarter-Half-Quarter (QHQ) waveplate configuration and an in-fiber three-paddle Fiber Polarization Controller (FPC). The polarization transformation along each downconverted-photon path is independently compensated through a systematic path-by-path optimization procedure. Using both techniques, we recover high-quality polarization correlations and entanglement, with visibilities exceeding $93\%$ in three mutually unbiased bases and fidelities above $94.5\%$. The results demonstrate comparable restoration using free-space waveplate-based and fiber-based control, establishing a systematic framework for laboratory and short-reach quantum communication links.