Heralded generation of ultrafast single photons in pure quantum States

We present an experimental demonstration of heralded single photons prepared in pure quantum states from a parametric down-conversion source. It is shown that, through controlling the modal structure of the photon pair emission, one can generate pairs in factorable states and thence eliminate the need for spectral filters in multiple-source interference schemes. Indistinguishable heralded photons were generated in two independent spectrally engineered sources and Hong-Ou-Mandel interference observed between them without spectral filters. The measured visibility of 94.4% sets a minimum bound on the mean photon purity.     

基于Ⅱ类周期极化铌酸锂波导的通信波段小型化频率纠缠源产生及其量子特性测量

自发参量下转换过程制备的纠缠光源在量子光学及其相关领域有着广泛的应用.本文利用780 nm的分布式布拉格反射镜激光二极管抽运一块长10 mm的Ⅱ类准相位匹配的周期极化铌酸锂波导,产生了偏振正交的频率反关联纠缠光子对.通过实验结果与理论的完美结合得到,当进入波导的抽运光功率为44.9 mW时,下转换双光子对的产生速率为1.87×10~7s~(-1).利用单色仪对下转换光子的频谱进行分析,得到信号和闲置光子的中心波长分别为1561.43 nm和1561.45 nm,频谱宽度为3.62 nm和3.60 nm,双光子符合包络宽度约为3.18 nm,可以得到双光子的频率纠缠度为1.131.00,表征了双光子的频率纠缠特性.利用Hong-Ou-Mandel干涉仪测量双光子的二阶量子干涉特性,测得的干涉可见度为96.1%,干涉图谱的凹陷宽度为1.47 ps.     

Theory for quantum state of photon pairs generated from spontaneous parametric down-conversion nonlinear process

A theory is presented for the quantum state of photon pairs generated from spontaneous parametric down-conversion nonlinear process. In this theory, the influence of the final sizes of nonlinear optical crystals on optical eigenmodes is explicitly taken into consideration. It was found that these photon pairs are not in entangled quantum states. Polarization correlations between the signal beam and the idler beam are explained. It is also shown that the two photons generated from SPDC are not spatially separated, therefore the polarization correlation between the signal and idler beams is not an evidence for quantum non-locality. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

基于周期极化KTiOPO$lt;sub$gt;4$lt;/sub$gt;晶体的高亮度纠缠源研制

量子纠缠是量子信息领域的核心资源,目前利用β型硼酸钡（BBO）晶体参量下转换制备的纠缠光子对的亮度较低,它直接制约了量子通信的最远距离,已无法满足星地实用化量子通信的发展需求.利用周期极化KTiOPO₄晶体,采用准相位匹配技术设计产生了一种后选择的纠缠源,测得的符合计数达到了16×10³s^-1 mW^-1,极化对比度达到27∶1,在亮度上比基于BBO的量子纠缠光源提高了一个数量级以上.这一高亮度的纠缠源可以广泛应用于量子密钥分发、量子隐形传态以及量子计算等新兴量子信息领域,为实现全球化量子通信提供了有力的保障. 关键词： 纠缠态 准相位匹配 4晶体')" href="#">周期极化KTiOPO₄晶体     

Degenerate entangled photon pairs source based on PPLN waveguide for quantum computation

Integrated photonic devices are expected to play a promising role in the field of quantum information science. In this paper we propose two schemes for generating polarization-mode entangled photon pairs based on titanium-indiffused waveguide on periodically polled lithium niobate by using simultaneous quasi-phase-matching of Type-I and higher order Type-0 spontaneous parametric down conversion processes in one of them and Type-II in another. The photon pairs are emitted at the wavelength of 812 nm suitable for quantum computation applications within a bandwidth of 14 and 0.2 nm, and the generation rate of the degenerate sources is 44,360 and 91 pairs/(s GHz mW) respectively, in a 1-cm long waveguide. These degenerate sources can provide maximally entangled photon pairs as the Tangle of the sources is as high as 0.9999 and 1, accordingly.     

Heralding Pure Single Photons Generated with Spontaneous Parametric Down Conversion

We investigate the possibility of generated heralding single photons via spontaneous parametric down conversion using periodically poled lithium niobate crystals with different phase-matching. We use the Schmidt decomposition to calculate the degree of entanglement of photon pairs We simulated the spectral purity, bandwidth, and the joint spectral intensity pictures of degenerate and non-degenerate photon pairs. At last, we obtain an ideal condition of the counter-propagating photons, which can be applied in the quantum communication.     

Temporally Correlated Narrowband Biphoton Interference Based on Mach–Zehnder Interferometer

Since early 1990s, Mach–Zehnder interferometer has been used to investigate the interference of biphoton wave packets. Due to subpicosecond time coherence of biphoton generated by spontaneous parametric downconversion process, some physical processes are ignored in the interferometer, most likely the biphoton time‐domain interference. Here, the two‐photon interference phenomenon based on the Mach–Zehnder interferometer is theoretically studied, where the correlated photon pairs are produced by the four‐wave mixing in atomic system. In particular, the quantum interference effect to effectively control the coherent time of two‐photon by adjusting the input delay is used. In the damped Rabi oscillation regime, two‐photon bunching and antibunching effects are observed. In addition, in the group‐delay regime, the interference between biphoton precursor, slow‐light wave packets and also in between the precursor and the slow‐light wave packets is observed, which had never been reported before. These results may have potential applications in the fields of biphoton shaping and quantum information processing.     

Quasi-phase-matching engineering for spatial control of entangled two-photon states

We show that transverse engineering of quasi-phase-matched geometries can be used to tailor the spatial mode function that describes the quantum state of photon pairs generated in spontaneous parametric down-conversion. We study several geometries and reveal how properly engineered gratings affect, in particular, the spatial correlations embedded in two-photon entangled states.     

Generation of two-photon States with an arbitrary degree of entanglement via nonlinear crystal superlattices

We demonstrate a general method of engineering the joint quantum state of photon pairs produced in spontaneous parametric down-conversion. The method makes use of a superlattice structure of nonlinear and linear materials, in conjunction with a broadband pump, to manipulate the group delays of the signal and idler photons relative to the pump pulse, and realizes photon pairs described by a joint spectral amplitude with arbitrary degree of entanglement. This method of group-delay engineering has the potential of synthesizing a broad range of states including factorizable states crucial for quantum networking and states optimized for Hong-Ou-Mandel interferometry. Experimental results for the latter case are presented, illustrating the principles of this approach.     

On the distribution of 1550-nm photon pairs efficiently generated using a periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide

We report on efficient generation of 1550-nm photon pairs in a periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide using the spontaneous parametric down-conversion process. Such photon pairs are expected to find applications in fiber-based long-distance quantum communication. Pumping the waveguide with a pulsed semiconductor laser with a pulse rate of 800 kHz and a maximum average pump power of 50 μW, we obtain a coincidence rate of 600 s⁻¹. Despite only two single-photon detectors are used, we gain some information about the photon-number distribution. Our measurements are found to be in agreement with a Poissonian photon-pair distribution, but clearly differ from the expected outcomes for both conventional and two-mode squeezed states, the latter corresponding to a thermal photon-pair distribution. The Poissonian photon-pair distribution is also explained by comparing the coherence time of the pump light and of the detected photons. An average of 0.9 generated photon pairs per pulse can thus be inferred.     

通信波长频率一致纠缠光源的频谱测量

本文利用光栅单色仪实现了对超短脉冲抽运周期极化磷酸氧钛钾晶体产生的通信波长频率一致纠缠光子源的频谱特性分析.测量到双光子的联合频谱呈正关联分布,为频率一致纠缠光源.信号光、闲置光中心波长分别为1574.4 nm和1574.9 nm,频谱宽度分别为35.3 nm和37.6 nm,双光子符合包络宽度约为3 nm.根据单光子频谱宽度与双光子符合包络宽度的比值可以得到双光子的频率纠缠参量R约为12,表征了信号光子与闲置光子之间具有较高的频率纠缠度.     

Synthesis and analysis of entangled photonic qubits in spatial-parity space

We present the novel embodiment of a photonic qubit that makes use of one continuous spatial degree of freedom of a single photon and relies on the parity of the photon's transverse spatial distribution. Using optical spontaneous parametric down-conversion to produce photon pairs, we demonstrate the controlled generation of entangled-photon states in this new space. Specifically, two Bell states, and a continuum of their superpositions, are generated by simple manipulation of a classical parameter, the optical-pump spatial parity, and not by manipulation of the entangled photons themselves. An interferometric device, isomorphic in action to a polarizing beam splitter, projects the spatial-parity states onto an even-odd basis. This new physical realization of photonic qubits could be used as a foundation for future experiments in quantum information processing.     

Tunable generation of entangled photons in a nonlinear directional coupler

The on‐chip integration of quantum light sources has enabled the realization of complex quantum photonic circuits. However, for the practical implementation of such circuits in quantum information applications, it is crucial to develop sources delivering entangled quantum photon states with on‐demand tunability. Here we propose and experimentally demonstrate the concept of a widely tunable quantum light source based on spontaneous parametric down‐conversion in a simple nonlinear directional coupler. We show that spatial photon‐pair correlations and entanglement can be reconfigured on‐demand by tuning the phase difference between the pump beams and the phase mismatch inside the structure. We experimentally demonstrate the generation of split states, robust N00N states, various intermediate regimes and biphoton steering on a single chip. Furthermore we theoretically investigate other regimes allowing all‐optically tunable generation of all Bell states and flexible control of path‐energy entanglement. Such wide‐range capabilities of a structure comprised of just two coupled nonlinear waveguides are attributed to the intricate interplay between linear coupling and nonlinear phase matching. This scheme provides an important advance towards the realization of reconfigurable quantum circuitry.

     

基于周期极化晶体MgO:PPLN的纠缠光子对制备过程的研究

基于二阶非线性效应的自发参量转换技术制备纠缠光子对过程中,以掺5 mol%MgO:PPLN周期极化晶体为研究对象,将光参量变换过程中的动量守恒和能量守恒条件与该晶体的色散方程,以及晶体极化周期随温度变化的热膨胀方程相联系,得到了355 nm、405 nm、532 nm、780 nm和1 064 nm这5个实验室常用波长点在制备纠缠光子对时的周期调谐特性和温度调谐特性。研究过程中发现,出现了晶体极化周期过小和产生两对纠缠光子对问题,总结并归纳了各波长点在一定极化周期和温度下与非线性晶体作用所产生的纠缠光波段范围。当选用其他非线性周期极化晶体进行实验时,改变QPM动量守恒条件中的极化周期项,同时根据具体使用的晶体改变色散方程。该研究方案可直接推广到使用不同非线性晶体产生通信光波段或红外光波段的纠缠光子对研究中,在制备量子光源等领域具有重要研究价值。     

Generation of correlated photons in controlled spatial modes by downconversion in nonlinear waveguides

We report the observation of correlated photon pairs generated by spontaneous parametric downconversion of a 400-nm pump pulse in a quasi-phase-matched KTiOPO(4) nonlinear waveguide. The highest ratio of coincidence to single-photon count rates observed near 800 nm exceeds 18%. This suggests that nonlinear waveguides will be a promising source of correlated photons for metrology and quantum information processing applications. We also discuss possibilities of controlling the spatial characteristics of the downconverted photons produced in multimode waveguide structures.     

Some properties and applications of biphoton states of three-mode light

Statistical properties, generation, and applications of three-mode biphoton fields with no more than one photon in each mode are discussed. Such field states have sub-Poissonian photon statistics and can be squeezed and entangled. The modes that simultaneously exhibit these properties in measurements are indicated. Two setups for generating such states via spontaneous parametric down-conversion are described. It is shown that the field states discussed in this study provide a quantum channel for teleportation, dense coding, and quantum key distribution.     

多波段相关光子光谱分布与时间相关性测量实验研究

基于相关光子的定标技术能够实现“无标准传递”绝对定标,研究相关光子的光谱辐射特性及时间相关特性对遥感器在宽波段的辐射定标具有重要意义。为满足光电探测器在宽谱段量子效率定标需求,基于相关光子的定标技术有必要从单一波段向更多波段扩展。根据自发参量下转换所满足的相位匹配条件,推导出相关光子在晶体内的非共线角计算公式,通过数值模拟相关光子光谱辐射角度分布规律,优化晶体相位匹配角,使得自发参量下转换产生的相关光子具有宽光谱分布,并且相关光子辐射角度与光谱波长能够一一对应。根据光谱分布数值模拟结果,建立了多波段相关光子的光谱分布和时间相关性测量实验系统,利用该系统测量了四对相关光子的光谱分布、符合计数、相关时间以及偏振特性。其中,测量的光谱分布范围为633~808 nm,最大光谱分布测量偏差为1.51 mm,光谱分布实验测量结果与数值模拟结果符合一致;测量了四对相关光子对的相关时间,最小相关时间为0.32 ns,并在实验中观察到了“符合三峰”现象;相关光子单光子计数及符合计数与泵浦光的偏振方向呈正弦函数关系。实验研究表明,相关光子对具有可见光~近红外宽波段分布、时间相关及偏振特性。论文研究结果在国内外尚属首次报道,该研究结果有望应用于光电探测器在多波段的辐射定标。     

Quantum Nonlocality of Photon Pairs in Interference in a Mach-Zehnder Interferometer

Nonlocal character of entangled photon pairs generated in spontaneous parametric downconversion is demonstrated. One photon from a pair propagates through a Mach-Zehnder interferometer and is detected in coincidence-count measurement with its twin. Width of the coincidence-count interference pattern (measured for various values of path difference in the Mach-Zehnder interferometer) depends on spectral width of the twin as a result of entanglement of photons in a pair. The experimental setup is analyzed for a Gaussian spectral filter and a Fabry-Perot resonator. It is shown that nonlocal interference is much stronger for cw pumping in comparison with femtosecond pulsed pumping for values of parameters commonly used in spontaneous parametric downconversion experiments.     

Beamlike high-brightness source of polarization-entangled photon pairs

We report on an ultrabright beamlike source of polarization-entangled photon pairs that is suitable for the task of multiphoton quantum information processing. The photon pairs are generated from a beamlike type-II parametric downconversion process in two adjacently located but 180 degrees rotated beta-barium borate crystals. Approximately 30,000 s(-1) entangled photon pairs are recorded experimentally with only 100 mW pump power. The fidelity of the generated entangled state as compared with a Bell state is measured to be 0.974 with the method of quantum state tomography. With this source, we also obtain a violation of Bell's inequality by 61 standard deviations in just a few seconds.     

All-versus-nothing nonlocality test of quantum mechanics by two-photon hyperentanglement

We report the experimental realization and the characterization of polarization and momentum hyperentangled two-photon states, generated by a new parametric source of correlated photon pairs. By adoption of these states an "all-versus-nothing" test of quantum mechanics was performed. The two-photon hyperentangled states are expected to find at an increasing rate a widespread application in state engineering and quantum information.