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A Photonic System for Generating Unconditional Polarization-Entangled Photons Based on Multiple Quantum Interference
Published on: September 5, 2019
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Nonlinear interaction between single photons
T Guerreiro1, A Martin1, B Sanguinetti1
1Group of Applied Physics, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland.
Physical Review Letters
|November 8, 2014
Summary
Researchers demonstrated single photons interacting via nonlinear optics, generating photon triplets. This breakthrough in quantum nonlinear optics enables new quantum communication applications using integrated devices.
Area of Science:
- Quantum Information Science
- Quantum Nonlinear Optics
- Integrated Photonics
Background:
- Controlling interactions between single photons is crucial for quantum information science.
- Nonlinear optical processes are key to manipulating quantum states.
- Previous methods faced challenges in achieving strong single-photon nonlinearities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate and achieve direct nonlinear interaction between two single photons.
- To explore the generation of photon triplets using sum-frequency generation.
- To highlight the potential of integrated quantum nonlinear optics.
Main Methods:
- Generating single photons using independent parametric down-conversion sources.
- Combining photons in a nonlinear waveguide.
- Utilizing sum-frequency generation for photon conversion.
Main Results:
- Successfully observed nonlinear interaction between two single photons.
- Directly generated photon triplets.
- Demonstrated the feasibility of integrated quantum nonlinear optics at telecom wavelengths.
Conclusions:
- The study showcases a practical method for achieving single-photon-level nonlinear interactions.
- The direct generation of photon triplets opens avenues for advanced quantum protocols.
- The use of integrated devices at telecom wavelengths is promising for quantum communication applications like device-independent quantum key distribution.
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