Suppressing Polarization Mode Dispersion with the Quantum Zeno Effect

Abstract

Polarization mode dispersion can introduce quantum decoherence in polarization encoded information, limiting the range of quantum communications protocols. Therefore, strategies to nullify the effect would reduce quantum decoherence and potentially increase the operational range of such technology. We constructed a quantum model of polarization mode dispersion alongside a two-level absorbing material. The two-level material serves to destructively measure one of two orthogonal polarization modes, thus projecting the polarization onto the other state. The theoretical results are supported by a numerical simulation in Mathematica Documentation where we compare the evolution of the polarization state with and without the absorbing material. We find that this strategy is effective in suppressing the effects of polarization mode dispersion, and that this method produces a global phase shift related to the waveguide’s birefringent properties.