We discuss the concept of polarization states of four-dimensional quantum systems based on frequency non-degenerate biphoton field. Several quantum tomography protocols were developed and implemented for measurement of an arbitrary state of ququart. A simple method that does not rely on interferometric technique is used to generate and measure the sequence of states that can be used for quantum communication purposes.
We consider polarization states of three photons, each in the same given spectral-angular mode. A general form of such states is a superposition of four basic three-photon polarization modes, to be referred to as three-photon polarization ququarts. All such states can be considered as consisting of one- and two-photon parts, which can be entangled with each other. The degrees of entanglement and polarization as well as the Schmidt decomposition and Stokes vectors of three-photon polarization ququarts are found and discussed.
Features of biphoton polarization-frequency ququarts are considered. Their wave functions are defined as functions of both polarization and frequency variables of photons with the symmetry obligatory for two-boson states taken into account. In experiments, biphoton ququarts can display different features in dependence on whether experiments involve purely polarization or (alternatively) polarization-frequency measurements. If in experiments one uses only polarization measurements, the originally pure states of ququarts can be seen as mixed biphoton polarization states. Features of such states …
We analyze features of mixed biphoton polarization states which arise from pure states of polarization-frequency biphoton ququarts after averaging over frequencies of photons. For mixed states we find their concurrence C, Schmidt parameter K and degree of polarization P, as well as the von Neumann mutual information I. In some simple cases we find also the relative entropy S_{rel} and the degree of classical correlations C_{cl}. We show that in mixed states the Schmidt parameter does not characterize anymore the degree of entanglement, as it does in pure states. Nevertheless, the Schmidt param…
We investigate in a general form entanglement of biphoton qutrits and ququarts, i.e. states formed in the processes of collinear and, correspondingly, degenerate and non-degenerate Spontaneous Parametric Down-Conversion. Indistinguishability of photons and, for ququarts, joint presence of the frequency and and polarization entanglement are fully taken into account. In the case of qutrits the most general 3-parametric families of maximally entangled and non-entangled states are found, and anti-correlation of the degree of entanglement and polarization is shown to occur and to be characterized b…
High-dimensional quantum states, or qudits, represent a promising resource in the quantum information field. Here we present the experimental generation of four-dimensional quantum states, or ququarts, encoded in the polarization and orbital angular momentum of a single photon. Our novel technique, based on the q-plate device, allows to prepare and measure the ququart in all five mutually unbiased bases. We report the reconstruction of the four dimensional density matrix through the tomographic procedure for different ququart states.
We report an experiment to demonstrate a quantum permutation determining algorithm with linear optical system. By employing photon polarization and spatial modes, we realize the quantum ququart states and all the essential permutation transformations. Compared with the classical case, this work determines the parity of the permutation in only one step of evaluation and displays the remarkable speedup of quantum algorithm. This experiment is accomplished in single photon level and exhibits strong universality in quantum computation.
Quantum cryptographic protocols based on complementarity are nonsecure against attacks in which complementarity is imitated with classical resources. The Kochen-Specker (KS) theorem provides protection against these attacks, without requiring entanglement or spatially separated composite systems. We analyze the maximum tolerated noise to guarantee the security of a KS-protected cryptographic scheme against these attacks, and describe a photonic realization of this scheme using hybrid ququarts defined by the polarization and orbital angular momentum of single photons.
We report the experimental resource-efficient implementation of the variational quantum eigensolver (VQE) using four-dimensional photonic quantum states of single-photons. The four-dimensional quantum states are implemented by utilizing polarization and path degrees of freedom of a single-photon. Our photonic VQE is equipped with the quantum error mitigation (QEM) protocol that efficiently reduces the effects of Pauli noise in the quantum processing unit. We apply our photonic VQE to estimate the ground state energy of He--H$^{+}$ cation. The simulation and experimental results demonstrate tha…
The problems associated with practical implementation of the scheme proposed for preparation of arbitrary states of polarization ququarts based on biphotons are discussed. The influence of frequency dispersion effects are considered, and the necessity of group velocities dispersion compensation in the frequency non-degenerate case even for continuous pumping is demonstrated. A method for this compensation is proposed and implemented experimentally. Physical restrictions on the quality of prepared two-photon states are revealed.
The novel experimental realization of four-level optical quantum systems (ququarts) is presented. We exploit the polarization properties of frequency non-degenerate biphoton field to obtain such systems. A simple method that does not rely on interferometer is used to generate and measure the sequence of states that can be used in quantum key distribution (QKD) protocol.
Quantum computing is in an era of limited resources. Current hardware lacks high fidelity gates, long coherence times, and the number of computational units required to perform meaningful computation. Contemporary quantum devices typically use a binary system, where each qubit exists in a superposition of the $\ket{0}$ and $\ket{1}$ states. However, it is often possible to access the $\ket{2}$ or even $\ket{3}$ states in the same physical unit by manipulating the system in different ways. In this work, we consider automatically encoding two qubits into one four-state qu\emph{quart} via a \emph…
To build a global quantum communication network, low-transmission, fiber-based communication channels can be supplemented by using a free-space channel between a satellite and a ground station on Earth. We have constructed a system that generates hyperentangled photonic "ququarts" and measures them to execute multiple quantum communication protocols of interest. We have successfully executed and characterized superdense teleportation, a modified remote-state preparation protocol that transfers more quantum information than standard teleportation, for the same classical information cost, and mo…
Inspired by laser operation, we address the question of whether stimulated emission into polarization entangled modes can be achieved. We describe a state produced by stimulated emission of the singlet Bell state and propose a setup for creating it. As a first important step towards an entangled-photon laser we demonstrate experimentally interference-enhanced polarization entanglement.
Optimal quantum cloning is the process of making one or more copies of an arbitrary unknown input quantum state with the highest possible fidelity. All reported demonstrations of quantum cloning have so far been limited to copying two-dimensional quantum states, or qubits. We report the experimental realization of the optimal quantum cloning of four-dimensional quantum states, or ququarts, encoded in the polarization and orbital angular momentum degrees of freedom of photons. Our procedure, based on the symmetrization method, is also shown to be generally applicable to quantum states of arbitr…
We comprehensively review the quantum theory of the polarization properties of light. In classical optics, these traits are characterized by the Stokes parameters, which can be geometrically interpreted using the Poincaré sphere. Remarkably, these Stokes parameters can also be applied to the quantum world, but then important differences emerge: now, because fluctuations in the number of photons are unavoidable, one is forced to work in the three-dimensional Poincaré space that can be regarded as a set of nested spheres. Additionally, higher-order moments of the Stokes variables might play a su…
We review a few useful concepts about polarization measurements in the quantum domain. Using a perfectly general formalism, we show how to build the quantum counterpart of some classical quantities like Stokes parameters and Mueller matrices, which are well known in classical polarization-measurement theory.
Experimental tests of Bell-type inequalities distinguishing between quantum mechanics and local realistic theories remain of considerable interest if performed on massive particles, for which no conclusive result has yet been obtained. Only two-particle experiments may specifically test the concept of spatial nonlocality in quantum theory, whereas single-particle experiments may generally test the concept of quantum noncontextuality. Here we have performed the first Bell-type experiment with a beam of thermal-neutron pairs in the singlet state of spin, as originally suggested by J. S. Bell. Th…
We report the implementation of a highly sensitive beam displacer based on the concept of weak value amplification that allows to displace the centroid of a Gaussian beam a distance much smaller than its beam width without the need to use movable optical elements. The beam's centroid position can be displaced by controlling the linear polarization of the output beam, and the dependence between the centroid's position and the angle of polarization is linear.
According to quantum theory, two ensembles of quantum systems that are described by the same density operator are indistinguishable. For example, unpolarized light can be obtained either by an incoherent mixture of two orthogonal pure states or by tracing out a photon from a maximally polarization-entangled photon pair. In both cases, one is unable to guess with probability greater than 50% the outcome of any polarization measurement, but the reasons are conceptually different: whereas the first case is a matter of classical ignorance (the photons were prepared in a definite but unknown way), …
We present an operator approach to the description of photon polarization, based on Wigner's concept of elementary relativistic systems. The theory of unitary representations of the Poincare group, and of parity, are exploited to construct spinlike operators acting on the polarization states of a photon at each fixed energy momentum. The nontrivial topological features of these representations relevant for massless particles, and the departures from the treatment of massive finite spin representations, are highlighted and addressed.
Based on the concept of chi-matrix and Choi-Jamiolkowski states we develop the approach of quantum process reconstruction. Special attention is paid to the adequacy of applied reconstruction models. The approach is applied to the statistical reconstruction of the polarization transformations in anisotropic and dispersive media realized by means of quartz plates and taking into account spectral shape of input states.
Polarization of light is one of the fundamental concepts in optics. There are many ways to measure and characterise this feature of light but at the fundamental level it is quantum mechanics that imposes ultimate limits to such measurements. Here, I calculate the quantum limit to a precision of a polarization measurement of classical coherent light. This is a multiparameter estimation problem with a crucial feature of noncommuting optimal observables corresponding to each parameter which prohibits them to be measured at the same time. I explicitly minimize the quantum Holevo-Cramer-Rao bound w…
Polarization-encoded free-space Quantum Communication requires a quantum state source featuring fast polarization modulation, long-term stability and a low intrinsic error rate. Here we present a source based on a Sagnac interferometer and composed of polarization maintaining fibers, a fiber polarization beam splitter and an electro-optic phase modulator. The system generates predetermined polarization states with a fixed reference frame in free-space that does not require calibration neither at the transmitter nor at the receiver. In this way we achieve long-term stability and low error rates…
The properties of coherence and polarization of light has been the subject of intense investigations and form the basis of many technological applications. These concepts which historically have been treated independently can now be formulated under a single classical theory. Here, we derive a quantum counterpart for this theory, with basis on a density matrix formulation, which describes jointly the coherence and polarization properties of an ensemble of photons. The method is used to show how the degree of polarization of a specific class of mixed states changes on propagation in free space,…
We develop and present a quantum cryptography concept in which phase determinations are made from the time that a photon is detected, as opposed to where the photon is detected, and hence is a non-interferometric process. The phase-encoded quantum information is contained in temporal and polarization superpositions of single photon states, forming a complex qudit of Hilbert dimension D equal to or greater than 4. Based on this, we have developed a new quantum key distribution protocol that allows the generation of secret key in the presence of higher noise than is possible with other protocols…
Indistinguishability is an essential concept to understanding mysterious quantum features in the view point of the wave-particle duality of quantum mechanics. The fundamental physics of the indistinguishability lies in quantum superposition of a single photon via orthogonal bases in a Hilbert space. Here, a pure coherence approach is applied to the nonlocal correlation using coherent photons manipulated for polarization-frequency correlation. For this, both wave mixing and heterodyne detection techniques are applied for the delayed-choice experiments of a quantum eraser using coherent photons …
The spread of information networks has not only made it easier for people to access a variety of information sources but also greatly enhanced the ability of individuals to disseminate information. Unfortunately, however, the problem of slander in online social networks shows that the evolving information network environment does not necessarily support mutual understanding in society. Since information with particular bias is distributed only to those communities that prefer it, the division of society into various opposing groups is strengthened. This phenomenon is called polarization. It is…
Quantum interference, like Hong-Ou-Mandel interference, has played an important role to test fundamental concepts in quantum physics. We experimentally show that the multiple quantum interference effects enable the generation of high-performance polarization entangled photons. These photons have a high-emission rate, are degenerate, have a broadband distribution, and are postselection free. A quantum interferometric scheme, based on a round-trip configuration of a double-pass polarization Sagnac interferometer, makes it possible to use the large generation efficiency of polarization entangled …
Understanding the joint dynamics of electron and nuclear spins is central to core concepts in solid-state magnetic resonance - such as spin-lattice relaxation and dynamic nuclear polarization - but a generalization that capitalizes on competing polarization loss and gain channels is still lacking. Here, we theoretically study the non-Hermitian dynamics of hybrid electron/nuclear spin systems in the simultaneous presence of electron spin pumping and spin-lattice relaxation. Focusing on periodic, one-dimensional chains, we find that by adjusting the electron spin pumping to a critical level, it …
Generation of polarization-entangled photons from quantum dots via the biexciton-exciton recombination cascade is complicated by the presence of an energy spitting between the intermediate excitonic levels, which severely degrades the quality of the entangled photon source. In this paper we present a novel, conceptually simple and straightforward proposal for restoring the entanglement of said source by applying a cascade of time-dependent operations on the emitted photons. This is in striking contrast with the techniques usually employed, that act on the quantum emitter itself in order to rem…
Spatial light modulators are versatile devices employed in a vast range of applications to modify the transverse phase or amplitude profile of an incident light beam. Most experiments are designed to use a specific polarization which renders optimal sensitivity for phase or amplitude modulation. Here we take a different approach and apply the formalism of quantum information to characterize how a phase modulator affects a general polarization state. In this context, the spatial modulators can be exploited as a resource to couple the polarization and the transverse spatial degrees of freedom. U…
We present a new optical scheme for BB84 protocol quantum key distribution (QKD). The proposed setup consists of a compact all-fiber polarization encoding optical scheme based on LiNbO3 phase modulators, single laser source and two single-photon detectors. Optical scheme consists of standard telecommunication components and is suitable for both fiber and free-space quantum communication channels. Low losses (~2dB) in Bob's device increase both the key generation rate and distance limit. A new technique for solving polarization mode dispersion (PMD) issue in LiNbO3 is implemented, allowing two …
The quantum mechanical approach to the well known prisoners dilemma, one of the basic examples to illustrate the concepts of Game Theory, is implemented with a classical optical resource, nonquantum entanglement between spin and orbital degrees of freedom of laser modes. The concept of entanglement is crucial in the quantum version of the game, which brings novel features with a richer universe of strategies. As we show, this richness can be achieved in a quite unexpected context, namely that of paraxial spin-orbit modes in classical optics.
More than 80 years passed since the first publication on entangled quantum states. In this period of time the concept of spookily interacting quantum states became an emerging field of science. After various experiments proving the existence of such non-classical states, visionary ideas were put forward to exploit entanglement in quantum information science and technology. These novel concepts have not yet come out of the experimental stage, mostly because of the lack of suitable, deterministic sources of entangled quantum states. Among many systems under investigation, semiconductor quantum d…
The concept of `flat optics' is quickly conquering different fields of photonics, but its implementation in quantum optics is still at infancy. In particular, polarization entanglement, which is central to quantum photonics due to the simplicity of polarization qubit encoding and control, is so far not realized on flat platforms. Meanwhile, relaxed phase matching of flat nonlinear optical sources enables enormous freedom in tailoring their polarization properties. Here we use this freedom to generate photon pairs with tunable polarization entanglement via spontaneous parametric down-conversion…
We present a silicon optical transmitter for polarization-encoded quantum key distribution (QKD). The chip was fabricated in a standard silicon photonic foundry process and integrated a pulse generator, intensity modulator, variable optical attenuator, and polarization modulator in a 1.3 mm $\times$ 3 mm die area. The devices in the photonic circuit meet the requirements for QKD. The transmitter was used in a proof-of-concept demonstration of the BB84 QKD protocol over a 5 km long fiber link.
We develop a concept of metasurface-assisted ghost imaging for non-local discrimination between a set of polarization objects. The specially designed metasurfaces are incorporated in the imaging system to perform parallel state transformations in general elliptical bases of quantum-entangled or classically-correlated photons. Then, only four or fewer correlation measurements between multiple metasurface outputs and a simple polarization-insensitive bucket detector after the object can allow for the identification of fully or partially transparent polarization elements and their arbitrary orien…
Polarization is one of light's most versatile degrees of freedom for both classical and quantum applications. The ability to measure light's state of polarization and changes therein is thus essential; this is the science of polarimetry. It has become ever more apparent in recent years that the quantum nature of light's polarization properties is crucial, from explaining experiments with single or few photons to understanding the implications of quantum theory on classical polarization properties. We present a self-contained overview of quantum polarimetry, including discussions of classical a…
Wave-particle duality is certainly one of the most curious concepts of contemporary physics, which ascribes mutually exclusive behaviors to quantum systems that cannot be observed simultaneously. In the context of two-path interferometers, these two behaviors are usually described in terms of the visibility of interference fringes and the path distinguishability. Here, we use quantum information-theoretic tools to derive quantifiers of these two properties, which account for the combined influence of path probability and polarization, and demonstrate that they satisfy a complementarity relatio…