Tests of quantum mechanics based on interference of photons

Some difficulties with a modified version of the Pfleegor-Mandel experiment recently proposed by Garuccio, Popper and Vigier are pointed out, and a different modification is proposed in order to test the conventional quantum mechanical interpretation.     

Experimental interference of independent photons

Interference of photons emerging from independent sources is essential for modern quantum-information processing schemes, above all quantum repeaters and linear-optics quantum computers. We report an observation of nonclassical interference of two single photons originating from two independent, separated sources, which were actively synchronized with a rms timing jitter of 260 fs. The resulting (two-photon) interference visibility was (83+/-4)%.     

Entangled photons and quantum communication

This article reviews the progress of quantum communication that utilizes photonic entanglement. We start with a survey of various methods for generating entangled photons, followed by an introduction of the theoretical principles and the experimental implementations of quantum key distribution. We then move on to a discussion of more involved quantum communication protocols including quantum dense coding, teleportation and quantum communication complexity. After that, we review the progress in free-space quantum communication, decoherence-free subspace, and quantum repeater protocols which are essential ingredients for long-distance quantum communication. Practical realizations of quantum repeaters, which require an interface between photons and quantum memories, are discussed briefly. Finally, we draw concluding remarks considering the technical challenges, and put forward an outlook on further developments of this field.     

Postselective two-photon interference from a continuous nonclassical stream of photons emitted by a quantum dot

We report an electrically driven semiconductor single-photon source capable of emitting photons with a coherence time of up to 400 ps under fixed bias. It is shown that increasing the injection current causes the coherence time to reduce, and this effect is well explained by the fast modulation of a fluctuating environment. Hong-Ou-Mandel-type two-photon interference using a Mach-Zehnder interferometer is demonstrated using this source to test the indistinguishability of individual photons by postselecting events where two photons collide at a beam splitter. Finally, we consider how improvements in our detection system can be used to achieve a higher interference visibility.     

A brief quantitative approach to determine the wavelength of photons as ultrarelativistic quantum particles

Given that a photon has (although small enough) a non-zero rest-mass, we derive an approximate mathematical expression for the wavelength of a single photon as ultrarelativistic quantum particle. In this context, the photon energy is also considered.     

Triggered single photons and entangled photons from a quantum dot microcavity

Current quantum cryptography systems are limited by the attenuated coherent pulses they use as light sources: a security loophole is opened up by the possibility of multiple-photon pulses. By replacing the source with a single-photon emitter, transmission rates of secure information can be improved. We have investigated the use of single self-assembled InAs/GaAs quantum dots as such single-photon sources, and have seen a tenfold reduction in the multi-photon probability as compared to Poissonian pulses. An extension of our experiment should also allow for the generation of triggered, polarization-entangled photon pairs. The utility of these light sources is currently limited by the low efficiency with which photons are collected. However, by fabricating an optical microcavity containing a single quantum dot, the spontaneous emission rate into a single mode can be enhanced. Using this method, we have seen 78% coupling of single-dot radiation into a single cavity resonance. The enhanced spontaneous decay should also allow for higher photon pulse rates, up to about 3 GHz. Received 8 July 2001 and Received in final form 25 August 2001     

Specific features of quantum oscillations of magnetization in quasi-two-dimensional antiferromagnetic semimetals

The specific features of quantum oscillations of the magnetization in quasi-two-dimensional wide-band-gap antiferromagnetic semimetals with a low concentration of charge carriers have been considered theoretically. It has been shown that, in these systems, the Fermi energy determined from the analysis of the frequency of the de Haas–van Alphen oscillations according to the standard procedure can differ significantly from the true value. For the correct determination of the Fermi energy in the canted phase, it has been proposed to analyze quantum oscillations of the magnetization M not as a function of the inverse magnetic field 1/H, but as a function of 1/cosγ, where the angle γ characterizes the inclination angle of the magnetic field with respect to the plane of the quasi-two-dimensional semimetal.     

Quasi-secure quantum dialogue using single photons

A quasi-secure quantum dialogue protocol using single photons was proposed. Different from the previous entanglement-based protocols, the present protocol uses batches of single photons which run back and forth between the two parties. A round run for each photon makes the two parties each obtain a classical bit of information. So the efficiency of information transmission can be increased. The present scheme is practical and well within the present-day technology.     

Dicke quantum spin glass of atoms and photons

Recent studies of strongly interacting atoms and photons in optical cavities have rekindled interest in the Dicke model of atomic qubits coupled to discrete photon cavity modes. We study the multimode Dicke model with variable atom-photon couplings. We argue that a quantum spin-glass phase can appear, with a random linear combination of the cavity modes superradiant. We compute atomic and photon spectral response functions across this quantum phase transition, both of which should be accessible in experiments.     

Specific features of the quantum picture of laser detection of optical signals

The physical picture of laser detection of weak optical signals is refined by theoretical consideration of the quantum nature of radiation detected. The basic equations describing the processes occurring in the detector are solved numerically and the detector sensitivity is estimated.     

Full-field quantum correlations of spatially entangled photons

Spatially entangled twin photons allow the study of high-dimensional entanglement, and the Laguerre-Gauss modes are the most commonly used basis to discretize the single-photon mode spaces. In this basis, to date only the azimuthal degree of freedom has been investigated experimentally due to its fundamental and experimental simplicity. We show that the full spatial entanglement is indeed accessible experimentally; i.e., we have found practicable radial detection modes with negligible cross correlations. This allows us to demonstrate hybrid azimuthal-radial quantum correlations in a Hilbert space with more than 100 dimensions per photon.     

六光子量子纠缠态的制备

我们提出了一个完全基于量子擦除概念上的六光子纠缠态的制备方案。首先，提出了利用一组四纠缠光子来制备六光子纠缠态的方案。接着，运用同样的技术，通过五粒子纠缠和Bell态的相互作用来制备六光子纠缠态。我们的实验方案可以应用于以测量为基础的量子计算和多体量子通信领域的研究。我们发现该方案成功的概率取决于纠缠态的系数。     

Entangling distant atoms by interference of polarized photons

We propose a scheme to generate the entangled state of two Lambda-type three-level atoms trapped in distant cavities by using interference of polarized photons. Two possible spontaneous emission channels of each excited atom result in a coherent superposition of the states of two atoms. The subsequent detection of the different polarized photons reveals that both atoms are in different ground states, but an interference effect prevents us from distinguishing which atom is in which ground state; the atoms are thus entangled. In comparison with the original proposal of interference-induced entanglement [C. Cabrillo, J. Cirac, P. Garcia-Fernandez, and P. Zoller, Phys. Rev. A 59, 1025 (1999)]], in our scheme the weakly driven condition is not required, and the influence of atomic excitement and atomic recoil on the entanglement fidelity can be eliminated.     

Nonlinear optics and quantum entanglement of ultraslow single photons

Two light pulses propagating with slow group velocities in a coherently prepared atomic gas exhibit dissipation-free nonlinear coupling of an unprecedented strength. This enables a single-photon pulse to coherently control or manipulate the quantum state of the other. Processes of this kind result in generation of entangled states of radiation field and open up new prospectives for quantum information processing.     

InAs 单量子点中级联辐射光子的关联测量

利用分子束外延生长InAs单量子点样品,温度为5 K时,测量了单量子点中单、双激子自发辐射的荧光(PL)光谱.研究了单、双激子发光强度随激发功率的变化及对应发光峰的偏振特性和精细结构劈裂.基于Hanbury-Brown Twiss(HBT) 实验,测量了单、双激子间发光光谱的关联函数,证实了其发光过程为级联发射过程. 关键词： InAs 单量子点 单、双激子 荧光光谱 级联辐射     

Deterministic single photons via conditional quantum evolution

A source of deterministic single photons is proposed and demonstrated by the application of a measurement-based feedback protocol to a heralded single-photon source consisting of an ensemble of cold rubidium atoms. Our source is stationary and produces a photoelectric detection record with sub-Poissonian statistics.     

Triggered single photons from a quantum dot

We demonstrate a new method for generating triggered single photons. After a laser pulse generates excitons inside a single quantum dot, electrostatic interactions between them and the resulting spectral shifts allow a single emitted photon to be isolated. Correlation measurements show a reduction of the two-photon probability to 0.12 times the value for Poisson light. Strong antibunching persists when the emission is saturated. The emitted photons are also polarized.