In this paper, we report on a scheme to generate a pulsed polarization entangled photon pair through the use of a Sagnac interferometer. To demonstrate its workability, we experimentally obtained two-photon quantum interference for the polarization variable. The main advantage of this scheme is its exceptional stability, compared to other schemes based on the interferometric technique. It does not need any active or passive techniques to stabilize the interferometer, even the instrument is exposed to a relatively turbulent environment.

• Received 9 September 2003

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.69.013803