Optical-Relayed Entanglement Distribution Using Drones as Mobile Nodes

Entanglement distribution has been accomplished using a flying drone, and this mobile platform can be generalized for multiple mobile nodes with optical relay among them. Here we develop the first optical relay to reshape the wave front of photons for their low diffraction loss in free-space transmission. Using two drones, where one distributes the entangled photons and the other serves as relay node, we achieve entanglement distribution with Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt S parameter of 2.59 +/- 0.11 at 1 km distance. Key components for entangled source, tracking, and relay are developed with high performance and are lightweight, constructing a scalable airborne system for multinode connectio and toward mobile quantum networks.

Automated summary

Entanglement distribution was achieved using a flying drone, with an optical relay developed to reshape the photons' wave front for low diffraction losses. By utilizing two drones, entanglement was distributed with high efficiency at a 1 km distance, paving the way for scalable airborne systems for mobile quantum networks.