Two-Way Quantum Time Transfer: A Method for Daytime Space-Earth Links

Abstract: High-precision remote clock synchronization is crucial for many classical and quantum network applications. Evaluating options for space-Earth links, we find that traditional solutions may not produce the desired synchronization for low Earth orbits and unnecessarily complicate quantum-networking architectures. Demonstrating an alternative, we use commercial off-the-shelf quantum-photon sources and detection equipment to synchronize two remote clocks across our freespace testbed utilizing a method called two-way quantum time transfer (QTT). We reach picosecond-scale timing precision under very lossy and noisy channel conditions representative of daytime space-Earth links and software-emulated satellite motion. This work demonstrates how QTT is potentially relevant for daytime space-Earth quantum networking and/or providing high-precision timing in GPS-denied environments.