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arXiv · 0905.4583

Shaping the Phase of a Single Photon

H. P. Specht·J. Bochmann·M. Muecke·B. Weber·E. Figueroa·D. L. Moehring·G. Rempe
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Abstract

While the phase of a coherent light field can be precisely known, the phase of the individual photons that create this field, considered individually, cannot. Phase changes within single-photon wave packets, however, have observable effects. In fact, actively controlling the phase of individual photons has been identified as a powerful resource for quantum communication protocols. Here we demonstrate the arbitrary phase control of a single photon. The phase modulation is applied without affecting the photon's amplitude profile and is verified via a two-photon quantum interference measurement, which can result in the fermionic spatial behaviour of photon pairs. Combined with previously demonstrated control of a single photon's amplitude, frequency, and polarisation, the fully deterministic phase shaping presented here allows for the complete control of single-photon wave packets.

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H. P. Specht, J. Bochmann, M. Muecke, B. Weber, E. Figueroa, D. L. Moehring, G. Rempe. 2009-05-28. Shaping the Phase of a Single Photon. https://doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2009.115

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