We investigate the coupling efficiency of parametric downconversion light (PDC) into single and multi-mode optical fibers as a function of the pump beam diameter, crystal length and walk-off. We outline two different theoretical models for the preparation and collection of either single-mode or multi-mode PDC light (defined by, for instance, multi-mode fibers or apertures, corresponding to bucket detection). Moreover, we define the mode-matching collection efficiency, important for realizing a single-photon source based on PDC output into a well-defined single spatial mode. We also define a multimode collection efficiency that is useful for single-photon detector calibration applications.
Configurable and scalable continuous variable quantum networks for measurement-based quantum information protocols or multipartite quantum communication schemes can be obtained via parametric down conversion (PDC) in non-linear waveguides. In this work, we exploit symmetric group velocity matching (SGVM) to engineer the properties of the squeezed modes of the PDC. We identify type II PDC in a single waveguide as the best suited process, since multiple modes with non-negligible amount of squeezing can be obtained. We explore, for the first time, the waveguide dimensions, usually only set to ens…
Single-photon addition to multimode quantum fields at telecom wavelengths using lithium niobate and its doped variants
School of Quantum Technology, Defence Institute of Advanced Technology（国防先进技术研究院量子技术学院）；Laboratoire Kastler Brossel, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, ENS-PSL Research University, Collège de France（卡斯勒·布罗塞尔实验室，索邦大学，法国国家科学研究中心，巴黎文理研究大学，法兰西学院）
We present a single-pass source of broadband multimode squeezed light with potential application in quantum information and quantum metrology. The source is based on a type I parametric down-conversion (PDC) process inside a bulk nonlinear crystal in a non-collinear configuration. The generated squeezed light exhibits a spatiotemporal multimode behavior that is probed using a homodyne measurement with a local oscillator shaped both spatially and temporally. Finally we follow a covariance matrix based approach to reveal the distribution of the squeezing among several independent temporal and sp…
Quantum Dispersive Waves and Multimode Squeezing in Pure-Kerr Parametrically Driven Cavity Solitons
Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland（马里兰大学物理科学与技术研究所）；Department of Physics, University of Maryland（马里兰大学物理系）；Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland（马里兰大学机械工程系）；University of Maryland Baltimore County（马里兰大学巴尔的摩县分校）；National Quantum Laboratory (QLab) at Maryland（马里兰国家量子实验室）
Coherent temporal filtering of multimode parametric down-conversion using a quantum pulse gate
Integrated Quantum Optics Group, Institute for Photonic Quantum Systems (PhoQS), Paderborn University（帕德博恩大学光子量子系统研究所）；School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Queensland（昆士兰大学数学与物理学院）
Photons occupying multiple spatial modes hold a great promise for implementing high-dimensional quantum communication. We use spontaneous four-wave mixing to generate multimode photon pairs in a few mode fiber. We show the photons are correlated in the fiber mode basis using an all-fiber mode sorter. Our demonstration offers an essential building block for realizing high-dimensional quantum protocols based on standard, commercially available fibers, in an all-fiber configuration.
We propose non-phase-matched sum frequency generation (SFG) as a method for characterizing broadband multimode light. We demonstrate its advantages using high-gain parametric down conversion (PDC) as an example. By generating the sum frequency in the near-surface region of a nonlinear crystal, we increase the SFG efficiency and get rid of the modulation caused by chromatic dispersion, known as Maker fringes. The obtained results interpreted in terms of the Schmidt mode formalism reveal the sensitivity of the SFG spectrum to the number of frequency modes. Furthermore, we demonstrate efficient n…
We report on a novel pseudothermal light source based on laser light coupled into an optical multimode fiber. The setup is simple, of low cost, exhibits inherently high directional light emission and allows for a flexible arrangement. By measuring the photon statistics and spatial two point intensity correlations in the far field we show that the setup exhibits all characteristics of a gaussian random source.
One of the greatest challenges in utilizing multimode optical fibers is mode-mixing and inter-modal interference, which scramble the information delivered by the fiber. A common approach for canceling these effects is to tailor the optical field at the input of the fiber to obtain a desired field at its output. In this work, we present a new approach which relies on modulating the transmission matrix of the fiber rather than the incident light. We apply computer-controlled mechanical perturbations to the fiber to obtain a desired intensity pattern at its output. Using an all-fiber apparatus, w…
Multi-photon propagation in connected structures - a quantum walk - offers the potential for simulating complex physical systems and provides a route to universal quantum computation. Increasing the complexity of quantum photonic networks where the walk occurs is essential for many applications. Here, we implement a quantum walk of indistinguishable photon pairs in a multimode fiber supporting 380 modes. Using wavefront shaping, we control the propagation of the two-photon state through the fiber in which all modes are coupled. Excitation of arbitrary output modes of the system is realized by …
Quantum communication aims to provide absolutely secure transmission of secret information. State-of-the-art methods encode symbols into single photons or coherent light with much less than one photon on average. For long distance communication, typically a single-mode fiber is used and significant effort has been devoted already to increase the data carrying capacity of a single optical line. Here we propose and demonstrate a fundamentally new concept for remote key establishment. Our method allows high-dimensional alphabets using spatial degrees of freedom by transmitting information through…
The large number of spatial modes supported by standard multimode fibers is a promising platform for boosting the channel capacity of quantum and classical communications by orders of magnitude. However, the practical use of long multimode fibers is severely hampered by modal crosstalk and polarization mixing. To overcome these challenges, we develop and experimentally demonstrate a vectorial time reversal technique, which is accomplished by digitally pre-shaping the wavefront and polarization of the forward-propagating signal beam to be the phase conjugate of an auxiliary, backward-propagatin…
To manipulate cold atoms in spatially constrained quantum engineering platforms, we developed a lensless optical system with a $\sim$1 $μ$m resolution and a transverse size of only 225 $μ$m. We use a multimode optical fiber with a high numerical aperture, which directly guides light inside the ultra-high-vacuum system. Spatial light modulators allow us to generate control beams at the in-vacuum fiber end by digital optical phase conjugation. As a demonstration, we use this system to optically transport cold atoms towards the in-vacuum fiber end, to load them in optical microtraps and to re-coo…
We compare phase matching for four-wave mixing using one, two, three, and four waveguide modes. For the comparison, we use numerical optimizations and an estimate of the generated idler power. We present results for few-mode fibers and nano-rib waveguides and show that for both waveguide types, four-wave mixing bandwidths and idler powers are best for one- and two-mode operation and that four-mode four-wave mixing is not feasible at all. Some nano-rib waveguides support three-mode four-wave mixing, albeit with much reduced bandwidth and reduced idler power.
We developed an ultra-compact high-resolution imaging system for cold atoms. Its only in-vacuum element is a multimode optical fiber with a diameter of $230\,μ$m, which simultaneously collects light and guides it out of the vacuum chamber. External adaptive optics allow us to image cold Rb atoms with a $\sim 1\,μ$m resolution over a $100 \times 100\,μ$m$^2$ field of view. These optics can be easily rearranged to switch between fast absorption imaging and high-sensitivity fluorescence imaging. This system is particularly suited for hybrid quantum engineering platforms where cold atoms are combi…
Multimode fibers hold great promise to advance data rates in optical communications but come with the challenge to compensate for modal crosstalk and mode-dependent losses, resulting in strong distortions. The holographic measurement of the transmission matrix enables not only correcting distortions but also harnessing these effects for creating a confidential data connection between legitimate communication parties, Alice and Bob. The feasibility of this physical-layer-security-based approach is demonstrated experimentally for the first time on a multimode fiber link to which the eavesdropper…
