Spontaneous parametric processes in optical fibers: a comparison

We study the processes of spontaneous four wave mixing and of third-order spontaneous parametric downconversion in optical fibers, as the basis for the implementation of photon-pair and photon-triplet sources. We present a comparative analysis of the two processes including expressions for the respective quantum states and plots of the joint spectral intensity, a discussion of phasematching characteristics, and expressions for the conversion efficiency. We have also included a comparative study based on numerical results for the conversion efficiency for the two sources, as a function of several key experimental parameters

Experimental proposal for the generation of entangled photon triplets by third-order spontaneous parametric downconversion in optical fibers

We present an experimental proposal for the generation of photon triplets based on third-order spontaneous para- metric downconversion in thin optical fibers. Our analysis includes expressions for the quantum state, which de- scribes the photon triplets and for the generation rate in terms of all experimental parameters. We also present, for a specific source design, numerically calculated generation rates

Third-order spontaneous parametric down-conversion in thin optical fibers as a photon-triplet source

We study the third order spontaneous parametric down conversion (TOSPDC) process, as a means to generate entangled photon triplets. Specifically, we consider thin optical fibers as the nonlinear medium to be used as the basis for TOSPDC in configurations where phase matching is attained through the use of more than one fiber transverse modes. Our analysis in this paper, which follows from our earlier paper Optics Letters 36, 190 (2011), aims to supply experimentalists with the details required in order to design a TOSPDC photon-triplet source. Specifically, our analysis focuses on the photon triplet state, on the rate of emission, and on the TOSPDC phasematching characteristics for the cases of frequency degenerate and frequency nondegenerate TOSPDC

Conversion efficiency in the process of co-polarized spontaneous four-wave mixing

We study the process of co-polarized spontaneous four-wave mixing in single-mode optical fibers, with an emphasis on an analysis of the conversion efficiency. We consider both the monochromatic-pumps and pulsed-pumps regimes, as well as both the degenerate-pumps and non-degenerate-pumps configurations. We present analytical expressions for the conversion efficiency, which are given in terms of double integrals. In the case of pulsed pumps we take these expressions to closed analytical form with the help of certain approximations. We present results of numerical simulations, and compare them to values obtained from our analytical expressions, for the conversion efficiency as a function of several key experimental parameters

Theory of cavity-enhanced spontaneous four wave mixing

In this paper we study the generation of photon pairs through the process of spontaneous four wave mixing (SFWM) in a $\chi^{(3)}$ cavity. Our key interest is the generation of photon pairs in a guided-wave configuration - fiber or waveguide - where at least one of the photons in a given pair is matched in frequency and bandwidth to a particular atomic transition, as required for the implementation of photon-atom interfaces. We present expressions, along with plots, for the two-photon joint intensity both in the spectral and temporal domains. We also present expressions for the absolute brightness, along with numerical simulations, and show that the presence of the cavity can result in a flux enhancement relative to an equivalent source without a cavity

Heralded single-photon source utilizing highly nondegenerate, spectrally factorable spontaneous parametric downconversion

We report on the generation of an indistinguishable heralded single-photon state, using highly nondegenerate spontaneous parametric downconversion (SPDC). Spectrally factorable photon pairs can be generated by incorporating a broadband pump pulse and a group-velocity matching (GVM) condition in a periodically-poled potassium titanyl phosphate (PPKTP) crystal. The heralding photon is in the near IR, close to the peak detection efficiency of off-the-shelf Si single-photon detectors; meanwhile, the heralded photon is in the telecom L-band where fiber losses are at a minimum. We observe spectral factorability of the SPDC source and consequently high purity (90%) of the produced heralded single photons by several different techniques. Because this source can also realize a high heralding efficiency (> 90%), it would be suitable for time-multiplexing techniques, enabling a pseudo-deterministic single-photon source, a critical resource for optical quantum information and communication technology

Quantum state preparation and one qubit logic from third-order nonlinear interactions

We present a study on preparing and manipulating path-like temporal-mode (TM) qubits based on third-order nonlinear interactions. Specifically, we consider the process of frequency conversion via difference frequency generation. To prepare a qubit, we aim to use Gaussian input states to a nonlinear waveguide. The coupling between the input state and a specific TM is maximized, obtaining qubits prepared with fidelities close to one. TMs evolve linearly within the medium; therefore, it is possible to define rotations around any axis contained in the $xy$ plane, allowing spanning the full Bloch sphere in two steps. Particularly, we present a method to obtain any of the Pauli quantum gates by varying geometric or user-accessible parameters in a given experimental configuration. Our study allows for experimentally feasible proposals capable of controllable arbitrary qubit transformations.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figure

Quantum teleportation with hybrid entangled resources prepared from heralded quantum states

In this work we propose the generation of a hybrid entangled resource (HER) and its further application in a quantum teleportation scheme from an experimentally feasible point of view. The source for HER preparation is based on the four wave mixing process in a photonic crystal fiber, from which one party of its output bipartite state is used to herald a single photon or a single photon added coherent state. From the heralded state and linear optics the HER is created. In the proposed teleportation protocol Bob uses the HER to teleport qubits with different spectral properties. Bob makes a Bell measurement in the single photon basis and characterizes the scheme with its average quantum teleportation fidelity. Fidelities close to one are expected for qubits in a wide spectral range. The work also includes a discussion about the fidelity dependence on the geometrical properties of the medium through which the HER is generated. An important remark is that no spectral filtering is employed in the heralding process, which emphasizes the feasibility of this scheme without compromising photon flux.Comment: 15 pages, 5 figure

Tailored photon pair preparation relying on full group velocity matching in fibre-based spontaneous four wave mixing

We study photon pair generation through scalar spontaneous four-wave mixing in single-mode fibre and for frequency-degenerate pumps; we concentrate on source geometries which fulfil full group velocity matching (GVM), i.e. where the pump, signal and idler propagate at identical group velocities. We discuss two experimental techniques which permit the attainment of full GVM, and discuss the resulting two-photon state properties. In particular, we show that full GVM can lead to sources which approach phasematching unconstrained by dispersion and therefore with a remarkably large bandwidth. We also discuss the generation of nearly-factorablestates as an application of full GVM.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures. To appear in J. Mod. Opt; PQE-2008 special issu

Third order parametric downconversion: a stimulated approach

We study the process of seeded, or stimulated, third-order parametric down-conversion, as an extension of our previous work on spontaneous parametric downconversion (TOSPDC). We present general expressions for the spectra and throughputs expected for the cases where the seed field or fields overlap either only one or two of the TOSPDC modes, and also allow for both pump and seed to be either monochromatic or pulsed. We present a numerical study for a particular source design, showing that doubly-overlapped seeding can lead to a considerably greater generated flux as compared with singly-overlapped seeding. We furthermore show that doubly-overlapped seeding permits stimulated emission tomography for the reconstruction of the three-photon TOSPDC joint spectral intensity. We hope that our work will guide future experimental efforts based on the process of third-order parametric downconversion.Comment: 14 pages, 6 figures. To be published in Physical Review