Single Photons Optical Two-Way Time Transfer Providing Picosecond Accuracy

We are reporting on a new approach to an optical two-way time transfer based on signals of individual photons. This approach enables to reach extreme timing stabilities and minimal systematic errors using existing electro-optic technologies. In our indoor experiment we have achieved sub-picosecond precison and 3 ps accuracy of a two-way time transfer via free space optical channel. The entire system is compact and simple. It is a perspective technique for space application, where it might provide picosecond accuracies over space distances.