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Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Generation and Coherent Control of Pulsed Quantum Frequency Combs
Published on: June 8, 2018
Continuous variable entanglement and squeezing of orbital angular momentum states
M Lassen1, G Leuchs, U L Andersen
1Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark, Fysikvej, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
Researchers experimentally characterized continuous variable orbital angular momentum states for the first time. They used a nondegenerate optical parametric oscillator (OPO) to create entanglement and squeezing in Laguerre-Gauss modes, mapping them onto an orbital Poincaré sphere.
Area of Science:
- Quantum optics
- Quantum information science
- Photonics
Background:
- Orbital angular momentum (OAM) states of light are crucial for quantum information processing.
- Experimental characterization of continuous variable OAM states is essential for advancing quantum technologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally characterize first-order continuous variable orbital angular momentum states.
- To demonstrate the production of quadrature entanglement and squeezing in these states.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a spatially nondegenerate optical parametric oscillator (OPO) to generate entangled first-order Laguerre-Gauss modes.
- Mapped OAM modes onto an orbital Poincaré sphere defined by three orbital parameters.
- Employed a nondegenerate OPO to achieve squeezing of these orbital parameters.
Main Results:
- Achieved the first experimental characterization of first-order continuous variable OAM states.
- Demonstrated quadrature entanglement between two first-order Laguerre-Gauss modes.
- Successfully produced squeezing of orbital parameters and reconstructed the "cigar-shaped" uncertainty volume on the orbital Poincaré sphere.
Conclusions:
- The study provides a foundational experimental framework for manipulating continuous variable OAM states.
- The demonstrated techniques pave the way for novel quantum protocols utilizing OAM.
- This work advances the understanding and application of structured light in quantum systems.
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