arXiv subjects

M. J. Fitch

Publications and source records attributed to M. J. Fitch.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2003

Photon number resolution using a time-multiplexed single-photon detector

Photon number resolving detectors are needed for a variety of applications including linear-optics quantum computing. Here we describe the use of time-multiplexing techniques that allows ordinary single photon detectors, such as silicon avalanche photodiodes, to be used as photon number-resolving detectors. The ability of such a detector to correctly measure the number of photons for an incident number state is analyzed. The predicted results for an incident coherent state are found to be in good agreement with the results of a proof-of-principle experimental demonstration.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2003

Experimental Controlled-NOT Logic Gate for Single Photons in the Coincidence Basis

We report a proof-of-principle demonstration of a probabilistic controlled-NOT gate for single photons. Single-photon control and target qubits were mixed with a single ancilla photon in a device constructed using only linear optical elements. The successful operation of the controlled-NOT gate relied on post-selected three-photon interference effects which required the detection of the photons in the output modes.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2003

Heralded Two-Photon Entanglement from Probabilistic Quantum Logic Operations on Multiple Parametric Down-Conversion Sources

An ideal controlled-NOT gate followed by projective measurements can be used to identify specific Bell states of its two input qubits. When the input qubits are each members of independent Bell states, these projective measurements can be used to swap the post-selected entanglement onto the remaining two qubits. Here we apply this strategy to produce heralded two-photon polarization entanglement using Bell states that originate from independent parametric down-conversion sources, and a particular probabilistic controlled-NOT gate that is constructed from linear optical elements. The resulting implementation is closely related to an earlier proposal by Sliwa and Banaszek [quant-ph/0207117], and can be intuitively understood in terms of familiar quantum information protocols. The possibility of producing a ``pseudo-demand'' source of two-photon entanglement by storing and releasing these heralded pairs from independent cyclical quantum memory devices is also discussed.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2002

High-fidelity quantum logic operations using linear optical elements

Knill, Laflamme, and Milburn [Nature 409, 46 (2001)] have shown that quantum logic operations can be performed using linear optical elements and additional ancilla photons. Their approach is probabilistic in the sense that the logic devices fail to produce an output with a failure rate that scales as 1/n, where n is the number of ancilla. Here we present an alternative approach in which the logic devices always produce an output with an intrinsic error rate that scales as 1/n^2,which may have several advantages in quantum computing applications.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2002

Dispersion cancellation and non-classical noise reduction for large photon-number states

Nonlocal dispersion cancellation is generalized to frequency-entangled states with large photon number N. We show that the same entangled states can simultaneously exhibit a factor of 1/sqrt(N) reduction in noise below the classical shot noise limit in precise timing applications, as was previously suggested by Giovannetti, Lloyd and Maccone (Nature v412 (2001) p417). The quantum-mechanical noise reduction can be destroyed by a relatively small amount of uncompensated dispersion and entangled states of this kind have larger timing uncertainties than the corresponding classical states in that case. Similar results were obtained for correlated states, anti-correlated states, and frequency-entangled coherent states, which shows that these effects are a fundamental result of entanglement.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2000

Compression of High-Charge Electron Bunches

The A0 Photoinjector at Fermilab can produce high charge (10-14 nC) electron bunches of low emittance (20 pi mm-mrad for 12 nC). We have undertaken a study of the optimal compression conditions. Off-crest acceleration in the 9-cell capture cavity induces an energy-time correlation, which is rotated by the compressor chicane (4 dipoles). The bunch length is measured using streak camera images of optical transition radiation. We present measurements under various conditions, including the effect of the laser pulse length (2 ps sigma Gaussian vs. 10 ps FWHM flat top). The best compression to date is for a 13.2 nC bunch with sigma = 0.63 mm (1.89 ps), which corresponds to a peak current of 2.8 kA.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2000

Electro-Optic Sampling of Transient Fields from the passage of High-Charge Electron Bunches

When a relativistic electron bunch traverses a structure, strong electric fields are induced in its wake. We present measurements of the electric field as a function of time as measured at a fixed location in the beam line. For a 12 nC bunch of duration 4.2 ps FWHM, the peak field is measured >0.5 MV/m. Time resolution of ~5 ps is achieved using electro-optic sampling with a lithium tantalate (LiTaO_3) crystal and a short-pulse infrared laser synchronized to the beam. We present measurements under several different experimental conditions and discuss the influence of mode excitation in the structure.

physics.acc-ph↗