arXiv subjects

Sven Ramelow

Publications and source records attributed to Sven Ramelow.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2020

Frequency-domain optical coherence tomography with undetected mid-infrared photons

Mid-infrared light scatters much less than shorter wavelengths, allowing greatly enhanced penetration depths for optical imaging techniques such as optical coherence tomography (OCT). However, both detection and broadband sources in the mid-IR are technologically challenging. Interfering entangled photons in a nonlinear interferometer enables sensing with undetected photons making mid-IR sources and detectors obsolete. Here we implement mid-infrared frequency-domain OCT based on ultra-broadband entangled photon pairs. We demonstrate 10 $μ$m axial and 20 $μ$m lateral resolution 2D and 3D imaging of strongly scattering ceramic and paint samples. Together with $10^6$ times less noise scaled for the same amount of probe light and also vastly reduced footprint and technical complexity this technique can outperform conventional approaches with classical mid-IR light.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2020

Microscopy with undetected photons in the mid-infrared

Owing to its capacity for unique (bio)-chemical specificity, microscopy withmid-IR illumination holds tremendous promise for a wide range of biomedical and industrial applications. The primary limitation, however, remains detection; with current mid-IR detection technology often marrying inferior technical capabilities with prohibitive costs. This has lead to approaches that shift detection towavelengths into the visible regime, where vastly superior silicon-based cameratechnology is available. Here, we experimentally show how nonlinear interferometry with entangled light can provide a powerful tool for mid-IR microscopy, while only requiring near-infrared detection with a standard CMOS camera. In this proof-of-principle implementation, we demonstrate intensity imaging overa broad wavelength range covering 3.4-4.3um and demonstrate a spatial resolution of 35um for images containing 650 resolved elements. Moreover, we demonstrate our technique is fit for purpose, acquiring microscopic images of biological tissue samples in the mid-IR. These results open a new perspective for potential relevance of quantum imaging techniques in the life sciences.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2020

An efficient, tunable, and robust source of narrow-band photon pairs at the $^{87}$Rb D1 line

We present an efficient and robust source of photons at the $^{87}$Rb D1-line (795 nm) with a narrow bandwidth of $δ=226(1)$ MHz. The source is based on non-degenerate, cavity-enhanced spontaneous parametric down-conversion in a monolithic optical parametric oscillator far below threshold. The setup allows for efficient coupling to single mode fibers. A heralding efficiency of $η_{\mathrm{heralded}}=45(5)$ % is achieved, and the uncorrected number of detected photon pairs is $3.8 \times 10^{3}/(\textrm{s mW})$. For pair generation rates up to $5\times 10^{5}/$s, the source emits heralded single photons with a normalized, heralded, second-order correlation function $g^{(2)}_{c}<0.01$. The source is intrinsically stable due to the monolithic configuration. Frequency drifts are on the order of $δ/20$ per hour without active feedback on the emission frequency. We achieved fine-tuning of the source frequency within a range of $ > 2$ GHz by applying mechanical strain.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2019

Ultra-broadband SPDC for spectrally far separated photon pairs

Generating photon pairs via spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) in nonlinear crystals is important for a wide range of quantum optics experiments with spectral properties such as their bandwidths often being a crucial concern. Here, we show the generic existence of particular phase-matching conditions in quasi-phase matched KTP, MgO:LN and SLT crystals that lead to ultra-broadband, widely non-degenerate photon pairs. It is based on the existence of group-velocity matched, far apart wavelength pairs and for 2 mm long crystals results in SPDC bandwidths between 15 and 25 THz (FWHM) for photon pairs with the idler photon in the technologically relevant mid-IR range 3-5 μm and the signal photon in the NIR below 1100 nm. We experimentally demonstrate this type of broadband phase-matching in ppKTP crystals for photon pairs centered at 800 nm and 3800 nm and measure a bandwidth of 15 THz. This novel method of generating broadband photon-pairs will be highly beneficial for SPDC-based imaging, spectroscopy, refractometry and OCT with undetected mid-IR photons.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2018

Strong Nonlinear Coupling due to Induced Photon Interaction on a Si$_{3}$N$_{4}$ Chip

Second-order optical processes lead to a host of applications in classical and quantum optics. With the enhancement of parametric interactions that arise due to light confinement, on-chip implementations promise very-large-scale photonic integration. But as yet there is no route to a device that acts at the single photon level. Here we exploit the $χ^{(3)}$ nonlinear response of a Si$_{3}$N$_{4}$ microring resonator to induce a large effective $χ^{(2)}$. Effective second-order upconversion (ESUP) of a seed to an idler can be achieved with 74,000 %/W efficiency, indicating that single photon nonlinearity is within reach of current technology. Moreover, we show a nonlinear coupling rate of seed and idler larger than the energy dissipation rate in the resonator, indicating a strong coupling regime. Consequently we observe a Rabi-like splitting, for which we provide a detailed theoretical description. This yields new insight into the dynamics of ultrastrong effective nonlinear interactions in microresonators, and access to novel phenomena and applications in classical and quantum nonlinear optics.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2017

Frequency Multiplexing for Quasi-Deterministic Heralded Single-Photon Sources

Single-photon sources based on optical parametric processes have been used extensively for quantum information applications due to their flexibility, room-temperature operation and potential for photonic integration. However, the intrinsically probabilistic nature of these sources is a major limitation for realizing large-scale quantum networks. Active feedforward switching of photons from multiple probabilistic sources is a promising approach that can be used to build a deterministic source. However, previous implementations of this approach that utilize spatial and/or temporal multiplexing suffer from rapidly increasing switching losses when scaled to a large number of modes. Here, we break this limitation via frequency multiplexing in which the switching losses remain fixed irrespective of the number of modes. We use the third-order nonlinear process of Bragg scattering four-wave mixing as an efficient ultra-low noise frequency switch and demonstrate multiplexing of three frequency modes. We achieve a record generation rate of $4.6\times10^4$ multiplexed photons per second with an ultra-low $g^{2}(0)$ = 0.07, indicating high single-photon purity. Our scalable, all-fiber multiplexing system has a total loss of just 1.3 dB independent of the number of multiplexed modes, such that the 4.8 dB enhancement from multiplexing three frequency modes markedly overcomes switching loss. Our approach offers a highly promising path to creating a deterministic photon source that can be integrated on a chip-based platform.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Ramsey interference with single photons

Interferometry using discrete energy levels in nuclear, atomic or molecular systems is the foundation for a wide range of physical phenomena and enables powerful techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance, electron spin resonance, Ramsey-based spectroscopy and laser/maser technology. It also plays a unique role in quantum information processing as qubits are realized as energy superposition states of single quantum systems. Here, we demonstrate quantum interference of different energy states of single quanta of light in full analogy to energy levels of atoms or nuclear spins and implement a Ramsey interferometer with single photons. We experimentally generate energy superposition states of a single photon and manipulate them with unitary transformations to realize arbitrary projective measurements, which allows for the realization a high-visibility single-photon Ramsey interferometer. Our approach opens the path for frequency-encoded photonic qubits in quantum information processing and quantum communication.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Quantum Interference between Transverse Spatial Waveguide Modes

Integrated quantum optics has drastically reduced the size of table-top optical experiments to the chip-scale, allowing for demonstrations of large-scale quantum information processing and quantum simulation. However, despite these advances, practical implementations of quantum photonic circuits remain limited because they consist of large networks of waveguide interferometers that path encode information which do not easily scale. Increasing the dimensionality of current quantum systems using higher degrees of freedom such as transverse spatial field distribution, polarization, time, and frequency to encode more information per carrier will enable scalability by simplifying quantum computational architectures, increasing security and noise tolerance in quantum communication channels, and simulating richer quantum phenomena. Here we demonstrate a scalable platform for photonic quantum information processing using waveguide quantum circuit building blocks based on the transverse spatial mode degree of freedom: mode multiplexers and mode beamsplitters. A multimode waveguide is inherently a densely packed system of spatial and polarization modes that can be coupled by perturbations to the waveguide. We design a multimode waveguide consisting of three spatial modes (per polarization) and a nanoscale grating beamsplitter to show tunable quantum interference between pairs of photons in different transverse spatial modes. We also cascade these structures and demonstrate NOON state interferometry within a multimode waveguide. These devices have potential to perform transformations on more modes and be integrated with existing architectures, providing a scalable path to higher-dimensional Hilbert spaces and entanglement.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2015

Dual-pumped degenerate Kerr oscillator in a silicon nitride microresonator

We demonstrate a degenerate parametric oscillator in a silicon-nitride microresonator. We use two frequency-detuned pump waves to perform parametric four-wave mixing and operate in the normal group-velocity dispersion regime to produce signal and idler fields that are frequency degenerate. Our theoretical modeling shows that this regime enables generation of bimodal phase states, analogous to the \c{hi}(2)-based degenerate OPO. Our system offers potential for realization of CMOS-chip-based coherent optical computing and an all-optical quantum random number generator.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2015

Continuous generation of Rubidium vapor in hollow-core photonic band-gap fibers

We demonstrate high optical depths (50+/-5), lasting for hours in Rubidium-filled hollow-core photonic band-gap fibers, which represents a 1000X improvement over operation times previously reported. We investigate the vapor generation mechanism using both a continuous-wave and a pulsed light source and find that the mechanism for generating the Rubidium atoms is primarily due to thermal vaporization. Continuous generation of large vapor densities should enable measurements at the single-photon level by averaging over longer time scales.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2015

Silicon-Nitride Platform for Narrowband Entangled Photon Generation

CMOS-compatible photonic chips are highly desirable for real-world quantum optics devices due to their scalability, robustness, and integration with electronics. Despite impressive advances using Silicon nanostructures, challenges remain in reducing their linear and nonlinear losses and in creating narrowband photons necessary for interfacing with quantum memories. Here we demonstrate the potential of the silicon nitride (Si3N4) platform by realizing an ultracompact, bright, entangled photon-pair source with selectable photon bandwidths down to 30 MHz, which is unprecedented for an integrated source. Leveraging Si3N4's moderate thermal expansion, simple temperature control of the chip enables precise wavelength stabilization and tunability without active control. Single-mode photon pairs at 1550 nm are generated at rates exceeding 107 s-1 with mW's of pump power and are used to produce time-bin entanglement. Moreover, Si3N4 allows for operation from the visible to the mid-IR, which make it highly promising for a wide range of integrated quantum photonics applications.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2015

Experimental access to higher-dimensional entangled quantum systems using integrated optics

Integrated optics allow the generation and control of increasingly complex photonic states on chip based architectures. Here, we implement two entangled qutrits - a 9-dimensional quantum system - and demonstrate an exceptionally high degree of experimental control. The approach which is conceptually different to common bulk optical implementations is heavily based on methods of integrated in-fiber and on-chip technologies and further motivated by methods commonly used in today's telecommunication industry. The system is composed of an in-fiber source creating entangled qutrit states of any amplitude and phase and an on-chip integrated general Multiport enabling the realization of any desired local unitary transformation within the two qutrit 9-dimensional Hilbert space. The complete design is readily extendible towards higher-dimensions with moderate increase in complexity. Ultimately, our scheme allows for complete on-chip integration. We demonstrate the flexibility and generality of our system by realizing a complete characterization of the two qutrit space of higher-order Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen correlations.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2015

Tunable frequency combs based on dual microring resonators

In order to achieve efficient parametric frequency comb generation in microresonators, external control of coupling between the cavity and the bus waveguide is necessary. However, for passive monolithically integrated structures, the coupling gap is fixed and cannot be externally controlled, making tuning the coupling inherently challenging. We design a dual-cavity coupled microresonator structure in which tuning one ring resonance frequency induces a change in the overall cavity coupling condition. We demonstrate wide extinction tunability with high efficiency by engineering the ring coupling conditions. Additionally, we note a distinct dispersion tunability resulting from coupling two cavities of slightly different path lengths, and present a new method of modal dispersion engineering. Our fabricated devices consist of two coupled high quality factor silicon nitride microresonators, where the extinction ratio of the resonances can be controlled using integrated microheaters. Using this extinction tunability, we optimize comb generation efficiency as well as provide tunability for avoiding higher-order mode-crossings, known for degrading comb generation. The device is able to provide a 110-fold improvement in the comb generation efficiency. Finally, we demonstrate open eye diagrams using low-noise phase-locked comb lines as a wavelength-division multiplexing channel.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2015

Violation of a new Wigner inequality with high angular momenta

In the study of systems that cannot be described classically, the Wigner inequality, has received only a small amount of attention. In this paper we extend the Wigner inequality - originally derived in 1969 - and show how it may be used to contradict local realism with only coincidence detections in the absence of two-outcome measurements - that is, for any system where only one possible result of a pair of potential outcomes can be registered. It thus encapsulates a much broader class of measurement schemes than could previously violate a local-realistic inequality. This is possible due to an assumption of "extended fairness" on the measurement outcomes, which we posit is highly plausible. We then apply this inequality to a recently constructed setup with access to entangled pairs of photons with very high angular momenta, in which no previously derived local-realistic inequality could successfully be used without making very broad assumptions. To our knowledge this experiment constitutes a violation of local realism with the largest quanta to date. We thus demonstrate the versatility of this inequality under very lossy conditions.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2014

A simple and robust method for characterization of afterpulsing in single photon detectors

Single photon detectors are important for a wide range of applications each with their own specific requirements, which makes necessary the precise characterization of detectors. Here, we present a simple and accurate methodology of characterizing dark count rate, detection efficiency, and after-pulsing in single photon detectors purely based on their counting statistics. We demonstrate our new method on a custom-made, free-running single photon detector based on an InGaAs based avalanche photo diode (APD), though the methodology presented here is applicable for any type of single photon detector.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2014

Quantum Entanglement of High Angular Momenta

Single photons with helical phase structures may carry a quantized amount of orbital angular momentum (OAM) and their entanglement is important for quantum information science and fundamental tests of quantum theory. Because there is no theoretical upper limit on how many quanta of OAM a single photon can carry, it is possible to create entanglement between two particles with an arbitrary high difference in the quantum number. By transferring polarization entanglement to OAM with an interferometric scheme, we generate and verify entanglement up to 600 quanta difference in the orbital angular momentum. The only restrictive factors towards higher numbers are current technical limitations. We also experimentally demonstrate that the entanglement of very high OAM can improve the sensitivity of the angular resolution in remote sensing.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2014

Strong polarization mode coupling in microresonators

We observe strong modal coupling between the TE00 and TM00 modes in Si3N4 ring resonators revealed by avoided crossings of the corresponding resonances. Such couplings result in significant shifts of the resonance frequencies over a wide range around the crossing points. This leads to an effective dispersion that is one order of magnitude larger than the intrinsic dispersion and creates broad windows of anomalous dispersion. We also observe the changes to frequency comb spectra generated in Si3N4 microresonators due polarization mode and higher-order mode crossings and suggest approaches to avoid these effects. Alternatively, such polarization mode-crossings can be used as a novel tool for dispersion engineering in microresonators.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2014

Generation and Confirmation of a (100x100)-dimensional entangled Quantum System

Entangled quantum systems have properties that have fundamentally overthrown the classical worldview. Increasing the complexity of entangled states by expanding their dimensionality allows the implementation of novel fundamental tests of nature, and moreover also enables genuinely new protocols for quantum information processing. Here we present the creation of a (100x100)-dimensional entangled quantum system, using spatial modes of photons. For its verification we develop a novel nonlinear criterion which infers entanglement dimensionality of a global state by using only information about its subspace correlations. This allows very practical experimental implementation as well as highly efficient extraction of entanglement dimensionality information. Applications in quantum cryptography and other protocols are very promising.

quant-ph↗