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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
12:19
Measurement of Quantum Interference in a Silicon Ring Resonator Photon Source
Published on: April 4, 2017
Experimental interference of independent photons
Rainer Kaltenbaek1, Bibiane Blauensteiner, Marek Zukowski
1Institute for Experimental Physics, University of Vienna, Boltzmanngasse 5, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.
Physical Review Letters
|August 16, 2006
Summary
Researchers achieved nonclassical interference between two single photons from independent sources, crucial for quantum repeaters and quantum computing. This breakthrough demonstrates high interference visibility using precisely synchronized photon sources.
Area of Science:
- Quantum optics
- Quantum information science
Background:
- Quantum interference is fundamental for quantum information processing.
- Independent photon sources are key for scalable quantum technologies like quantum repeaters and linear-optics quantum computers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate and quantify nonclassical interference between photons from two independent, spatially separated sources.
- To validate the feasibility of using synchronized independent sources for quantum information tasks.
Main Methods:
- Actively synchronizing two independent single-photon sources with a root-mean-square (rms) timing jitter of 260 femtoseconds (fs).
- Observing and measuring the interference pattern of the two photons.
Main Results:
- Successfully observed nonclassical interference between single photons from independent sources.
- Achieved a two-photon interference visibility of (83 ± 4)%.
Conclusions:
- The results confirm the viability of using synchronized independent photon sources for quantum information processing.
- High interference visibility is achievable, paving the way for advanced quantum devices.
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