arXiv subjects

W. A. T. Nogueira

Publications and source records attributed to W. A. T. Nogueira.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2015

Quantum key distribution with untrusted detectors

Side-channel attacks currently constitute the main challenge for quantum key distribution (QKD) to bridge theory with practice. So far two main approaches have been introduced to address this problem, (full) device-independent QKD and measurement-device-independent QKD. Here we present a third solution that might exceed the performance and practicality of the previous two in circumventing detector side-channel attacks, which arguably is the most hazardous part of QKD implementations. Our proposal has, however, one main requirement: the legitimate users of the system need to ensure that their labs do not leak any unwanted information to the outside. The security in the low-loss regime is guaranteed, while in the high-loss regime we already prove its robustness against some eavesdropping strategies.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2015

Non-Gaussian state generation certified using the EPR-steering inequality

Due to practical reasons, experimental and theoretical continuous-variable (CV) quantum information (QI) has been heavily based on Gaussian states. Nevertheless, many CV-QI protocols require the use of non-Gaussian states and operations. Here, we show that the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen steering inequality can be used to obtain a practical witness for the generation of pure bipartite non-Gaussian states. While the scenario require pure states, we show its broad relevance by reporting the experimental observation of the non-Gaussianity of the CV two-photon state generated in the process of spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC). The observed non-Gaussianity is due only to the intrinsic phase-matching conditions of SPDC

quant-ph↗

arXiv2014

Long-distance distribution of genuine energy-time entanglement

Any practical realization of entanglement-based quantum communication must be intrinsically secure and able to span long distances avoiding the need of a straight line between the communicating parties. The violation of Bell's inequality offers a method for the certification of quantum links without knowing the inner workings of the devices. Energy-time entanglement quantum communication satisfies all these requirements. However, currently there is a fundamental obstacle with the standard configuration adopted: an intrinsic geometrical loophole that can be exploited to break the security of the communication, in addition to other loopholes. Here we show the first experimental Bell violation with energy-time entanglement distributed over 1 km of optical fibers that is free of this geometrical loophole. This is achieved by adopting a new experimental design, and by using an actively stabilized fiber-based long interferometer. Our results represent an important step towards long-distance secure quantum communication in optical fibers.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2013

Quantum key distribution session with 16-dimensional photonic states

The secure transfer of information is an important problem in modern telecommunications. Quantum key distribution (QKD) provides a solution to this problem by using individual quantum systems to generate correlated bits between remote parties, that can be used to extract a secret key. QKD with D-dimensional quantum channels provides security advantages that grow with increasing D. However, the vast majority of QKD implementations has been restricted to two dimensions. Here we demonstrate the feasibility of using higher dimensions for real-world quantum cryptography by performing, for the first time, a fully automated QKD session based on the BB84 protocol with 16-dimensional quantum states. Information is encoded in the single-photon transverse momentum and the required states are dynamically generated with programmable spatial light modulators. Our setup paves the way for future developments in the field of experimental high-dimensional QKD.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2013

A higher quantum bound for the Vértesi-Bene-Bell-inequality and the role of POVMs regarding its threshold detection efficiency

Recently, Vértesi and Bene [Phys. Rev. A. {\bf 82}, 062115 (2010)] derived a two-qubit Bell inequality, $I_{CH3}$, which they show to be maximally violated only when more general positive operator valued measures (POVMs) are used instead of the usual von Neumann measurements. Here we consider a general parametrization for the three-element-POVM involved in the Bell test and obtain a higher quantum bound for the $I_{CH3}$-inequality. With a higher quantum bound for $I_{CH3}$, we investigate if there is an experimental setup that can be used for observing that POVMs give higher violations in Bell tests based on this inequality. We analyze the maximum errors supported by the inequality to identify a source of entangled photons that can be used for the test. Then, we study if POVMs are also relevant in the more realistic case that partially entangled states are used in the experiment. Finally, we investigate which are the required efficiencies of the $I_{CH3}$-inequality, and the type of measurements involved, for closing the detection loophole. We obtain that POVMs allow for the lowest threshold detection efficiency, and that it is comparable to the minimal (in the case of two-qubits) required detection efficiency of the Clauser-Horne-Bell-inequality.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2012

Quantifying the non-Gaussianity of the state of spatially correlated down-converted photons

The state of the spatially correlated down-converted photons is usually treated as a two-mode Gaussian entangled state. While intuitively this seems to be reasonable, it is known that new structures in the spatial distributions of these photons can be observed when the phase-matching conditions are properly taken into account. Here, we study how the variances of the near- and far-field conditional probabilities are affected by the phase-matching functions, and we analyze the role of the EPR-criterion regarding the non-Gaussianity and entanglement detection of the spatial two-photon state of spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC). Then we introduce a statistical measure, based on the negentropy of the joint distributions at the near- and far-field planes, which allows for the quantification of the non-Gaussianity of this state. This measure of non-Gaussianity requires only the measurement of the autocorrelation covariance sub-matrices, and will be relevant for new applications of the spatial correlation of SPDC in CV quantum information processing.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2012

Defocusing microscopy with an arbitrary size for the aperture of the objective lens

The theoretical approach to describe the defocusing microscopy technique by U. Agero et al. [Phys. Rev. E {\bf 67}, 051904 (2003)] assumes that the size of the objective lens aperture is infinite. This treatment gives that the intensity at the image plane depends on the laplacian of the phase introduced in the field by a pure phase object. In the present paper, we consider an arbitrary size for the aperture of the objective lens and we conclude that the intensity at the image plane depends also on the gradient of the phase introduced by the object and the phase itself. In this case, even an object that introduces only linear variations in the phase can be detected. Furthermore, we show that the contrast of the image of the phase object increases with the use of smaller objective apertures.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2011

Experimental quantum tomography of photonic qudits via mutually unbiased basis

We present the experimental quantum tomography of 7- and 8-dimensional quantum systems based on projective measurements in the mutually unbiased basis (MUB-QT). One of the advantages of MUB-QT is that it requires projections from a minimal number of bases to be performed. In our scheme, the higher dimensional quantum systems are encoded using the propagation modes of single photons, and we take advantage of the capabilities of amplitude- and phase-modulation of programmable spatial light modulators to implement the MUB-QT.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2010

Interference and complementarity for two-photon hybrid entangled states

In this work we generate two-photon hybrid entangled states (HES), where the polarization of one photon is entangled with the transverse spatial degree of freedom of the second photon. The photon pair is created by parametric down-conversion in a polarization-entangled state. A birefringent double-slit couples the polarization and spatial degrees of freedom of these photons and finally, suitable spatial and polarization projections generate the HES. We investigate some interesting aspects of the two-photon hybrid interference, and present this study in the context of the complementarity relation that exists between the visibilities of the one- and two-photon interference patterns.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2008

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.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2005

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.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2004

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.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2002

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)].

quant-ph↗

arXiv2002

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.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2002

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.

quant-ph↗