  We present an experimental realization of a robust quantum communication
scheme [Phys. Rev. Lett. 93, 220501 (2004)] using pairs of photons entangled in
polarization and time. Our method overcomes errors due to collective rotation
of the polarization modes (e.g., birefringence in optical fiber or
misalignment), is insensitive to the phase's fluctuation of the interferometer,
and does not require any shared reference frame including time reference,
except the need to label different photons. The practical robustness of the
scheme is further shown by implementing a variation of the Bennett-Brassard
1984 quantum key distribution protocol over 1 km optical fiber.

Quantum Physics