Demonstration of quantum telecloning of optical coherent states

Abstract

Quantum cryptography promises in-principle secure communication between two parties via a quantum channel, with the ability to discover eavesdropping when it occurs. In 1999, a telecloning protocol was invented [M. Murao {\it et al}., Phys. Rev. A {\bf 59}, 156 (1999)] that provides a way for an eavesdropper to remotely monitor a quantum cryptographic channel such that even if eavesdropping is discovered, the identity and location of the eavesdropper is guaranteed uncompromised. Here we demonstrate unconditional telecloning experimentally for the first time. We symmetrically teleclone coherent states of light, achieving a fidelity for each clone of $F = 0.58 \pm 0.01$.