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C. H. Monken

Publications and source records attributed to C. H. Monken.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Controlling the transverse correlation in QPM parametric down-conversion

In this work we study the transverse spatial correlation of the pair of photons generated via the process of spontaneous parametric frequency down-conversion, in periodically poled non-linear crystals illuminated by a pulsed laser beam. It is well known that the two-photon state generated in quasi-phase matching (QPM) configurations depends explicitly on the characteristics of the pump beam, on the crystal modulated non-linearity, and on the detection geometry. This has allowed the development of several techniques for controlling the biphoton spectral and spatial properties. Here we discuss another technique for implementing the spatial entanglement modification in QPM gratings. We show, theoretically and experimentally, that in nearly collinear geometries, the spatial shape modulation of the pump beam allows for the control of the biphoton transverse spatial correlation.

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Transverse spatial and frequency properties of two-photon states generated by spontaneous parametric down-conversion

We present a detailed account of the two-photon states generated by SPDC in both type I and type II phase matching, including the effects of anisotropy of the nonlinear medium and the frequency spread of the down-converted fields. Accurate as well as simplified expressions are derived for type I and type II phase matching in the context of Fourier Optics. The main results are compared with experimental data available in the literature, showing good agreement in all cases.

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Geometrically induced singular behavior of entanglement

We show that the geometry of the set of quantum states plays a crucial role in the behavior of entanglement in different physical systems. More specifically it is shown that singular points at the border of the set of unentangled states appear as singularities in the dynamics of entanglement of smoothly varying quantum states. We illustrate this result by implementing a photonic parametric down conversion experiment. Moreover, this effect is connected to recently discovered singularities in condensed matter models.

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Hong-Ou-Mandel interferometer with cavities: theory

We study the number of coincidences in a Hong-Ou-Mandel interferometer exit whose arms have been supplemented with the addition of one or two optical cavities. The fourth-order correlation function at the beam-splitter exit is calculated. In the regime where the cavity length are larger than the one-photon coherence length, photon coalescence and anti-coalescence interference is observed. Feynman's path diagrams for the indistinguishable processes that lead to quantum interference are presented. As application for the Hong-Ou-Mandel interferometer with two cavities, it is discussed the construction of an optical XOR gate.

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Generation of a two-photon singlet beam

Controlling the pump beam transverse profile in multimode Hong-Ou-Mandel interference, we generate a ''localized" two-photon singlet state, in which both photons propagate in the same beam. This type of multi-photon singlet beam may useful in quantum communication to avoid decoherence. We show that although the photons are part of the same beam, they are never in the same plane wave mode, which is characterized by spatial antibunching behavior in the plane normal to the propagation direction.

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Entanglement and conservation of orbital angular momentum in spontaneous parametric down-conversion

We show that the transfer of the plane wave spectrum of the pump beam to the fourth-order transverse spatial correlation function of the two-photon field generated by spontaneous parametric down-conversion leads to the conservation and entanglement of orbital angular momentum of light. By means of a simple experimental setup based on fourth-order (or two-photon) interferometry, we show that our theoretical model provides a good description for down-converted fields carrying orbital angular momentum.

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Conservation and entanglement of Hermite-Gaussian modes in parametric down-conversion

We show that the transfer of the angular spectrum of the pump beam to the two-photon state in spontaneous parametric down-conversion enables the generation of entangled Hermite-Gaussian modes. We derive an analytical expression for the two-photon state in terms of these modes and show that there are restrictions on both the parity and order of the down-converted Hermite-Gaussian fields. Using these results, we show that the two-photon state is indeed entangled in Hermite-Gaussian modes. We propose experimental methods of creating maximally-entangled Bell states and non-maximally entangled pure states of first order Hermite-Gaussian modes.

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Multimode Hong-Ou-Mandel Interferometry

We review some recent experiments based upon multimode two-photon interference of photon pairs created by spontaneous parametric down-conversion. The new element provided by these experiments is the inclusion of the transverse spatial profiles of the pump, signal and idler fields. We discuss multimode Hong-Ou-Mandel interference, and show that the transverse profile of the pump beam can be manipulated in order to control two-photon interference. We present the basic theory and experimental results as well as several applications to the field of quantum information.

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Generation of maximally entangled states of qudits using twin photons

We report an experiment to generate maximally entangled states of D-dimensional quantum systems, qudits, by using transverse spatial correlations of two parametric down-converted photons. Apertures with D-slits in the arms of the twin fotons define the qudit space. By manipulating the pump beam correctly the twin photons will pass only by symmetrically opposite slits, generating entangled states between these differents paths. Experimental results for qudits with D=4 and D=8 are shown. We demonstrate that the generated states are entangled states.

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The Semi-Quantum Computer

We discuss the performance of the Search and Fourier Transform algorithms on a hybrid computer constituted of classical and quantum processors working together. We show that this semi-quantum computer would be an improvement over a pure classical architecture, no matter how few qubits are available and, therefore, it suggests an easier implementable technology than a pure quantum computer with arbitrary number of qubits.

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Hyperentanglement-assisted Bell-state analysis

We propose a simple scheme for complete Bell-state measurement of photons using hyperentangled states - entangled in multiple degrees of freedom. In addition to hyperentanglement, our scheme requires only linear optics and single photon detectors, and is realizable with current technology. At the cost of additional classical communication, our Bell-state measurement can be implemented non-locally. We discuss the possible application of these results to quantum dense coding and quantum teleportation.

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Control of conditional pattern with polarization entanglement

Conditional interference patterns can be obtained with twin photons from spontaneous parametric down-conversion and the phase of the pattern can be controlled by the relative transverse position of the signal and idler detectors. Using a configuration that produces entangled photons in both polarization and transverse momentum we report on the control of the conditional patterns by acting on the polarization degree of freedom.

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Optical Bell-state analysis in the coincidence basis

Many quantum information protocols require a Bell-state measurement of entangled systems. Most optical Bell-state measurements utilize two-photon interference at a beam splitter. By creating polarization-entangled photons with spontaneous parametric down-conversion using a first-order Hermite-Gaussian pump beam, we invert the usual interference behavior and perform an incomplete Bell-state measurement in the coincidence basis. We discuss the possibility of a complete Bell-state measurement in the coincidence basis using hyperentangled states [Phys. Rev. A, \textbf{58}, R2623 (1998)].

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Multimode Hong-Ou-Mandel interference

We consider multimode two-photon interference at a beam splitter by photons created by spontaneous parametric down-conversion. The resulting interference pattern is shown to depend upon the transverse spatial symmetry of the pump beam. In an experiment, we employ the first-order Hermite-Gaussian modes in order to show that, by manipulating the pump beam, one can control the resulting two-photon interference behavior. We expect these results to play an important role in the engineering of quantum states of light for use in quantum information processing and quantum imaging.

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Spatial antibunching of photons with parametric down-conversion

The theoretical framework behind a recent experiment by Nogueira et. al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 86}, 4009 (2001)] of spatial antibunching in a two-photon state generated by collinear type II parametric down-conversion and a birefringent double-slit is presented. The fourth-order quantum correlation function is evaluated and shown to violate the classical Schwarz-type inequality, ensuring that the field does not have a classical analog. We expect these results to be useful in the rapidly growing fields of quantum imaging and quantum information.

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Propagation of the Angular Spectrum in the Up-conversion

We study theoretical and experimentally the propagation of the angular spectrum of the light produced in the up-conversion process. The connection between the angular spectrum of the fundamental and the second harmonic is derived and measured. We show that even though they are connected, it is not possible to directly transfer images from the fundamental to the second harmonic.

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Experimental observation of spatial antibunching of photons

We report an interference experiment that shows transverse spatial antibunching of photons. Using collinear parametric down-conversion in a Young-type fourth-order interference setup we show interference patterns that violate the classical Schwarz inequality and should not exist at all in a classical description.

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A double-slit quantum eraser

We report a quantum eraser experiment which actually uses a Young double-slit to create interference. The experiment can be considered an optical analogy of an experiment proposed by Scully, Englert and Walther. One photon of an entangled pair is incident on a Young double-slit of appropriate dimensions to create an interference pattern in a distant detection region. Quarter-wave plates, oriented so that their fast axes are orthogonal, are placed in front of each slit to serve as which-path markers. The quarter-wave plates mark the polarization of the interfering photon and thus destroy the interference pattern. To recover interference, we measure the polarization of the other entangled photon. In addition, we perform the experiment under delayed erasure circumstances.

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