Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:1208.4154 · Optics Express

Non-classical interference in integrated 3D multiports

Thomas Meany, Michael Delanty, Simon Gross, Graham D. Marshall, Michael J. Steel, Michael J. Withford

Published Nov 14, 2012• 54 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We demonstrate three and four input multiports in a three dimensional glass platform, fabricated using the femtosecond laser direct-write technique. Hong-Ou-Mandel (HOM) interference is observed and a full quantum characterization is performed, obtaining two photon correlation matrices for all combinations of input and output ports. For the 3-port case, the quantum visibilities are accurately predicted solely from measurement of the classical coupling ratios.

DOI
10.1364/oe.20.026895

Related papers

Observing quantum interference in 3D integrated-photonic symmetric multiports

Andrea Crespi, Roberto Osellame, Roberta Ramponi +7 more

The investigation of multi-photon quantum interference in symmetric multi-port splitters has both fundamental and applicative interest. Destructive quantum interference in devices with specific symmetry leads to the suppression of a large number of possible output states, generalizing the Hong-Ou-Mandel effect; simple suppression laws have been developed for interferometers implementing the Fourier or the Hadamard transform over the modes. In fact, these enhanced interference features in the output distribution can be used to assess the indistinguishability of single-photon sources, and symmetric interferometers have been envisaged as benchmark or validation devices for Boson-Sampling machines. In this work we devise an innovative approach to implement symmetric multi-mode interferometers that realize the Fourier and Hadamard transform over the optical modes, exploiting integrated waveguide circuits. Our design is based on the optical implementations of the Fast-Fourier and Fast-Hadamard transform algorithms, and exploits a novel three-dimensional layout which is made possible by the unique capabilities of femtosecond laser waveguide writing. We fabricate devices with m = 4 and m = 8 modes and we let two identical photons evolve in the circuit. By characterizing the coincidence output distribution we are able to observe experimentally the known suppression laws for the output states. In particular, we characterize the robustness of this approach to assess the photons' indistinguishability and to rule out alternative non-quantum states of light. The reported results pave the way to the adoption of symmetric multiport interferometers as pivotal tools in the diagnostics and certification of quantum photonic platforms.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Feb 16, 2017•0 citations

Non-classical photon correlation in a two-dimensional photonic lattice

Jun Gao, Lu-Feng Qiao, Xiao-Feng Lin +8 more

Quantum interference and quantum correlation, as two main features of quantum optics, play an essential role in quantum information applications, such as multi-particle quantum walk and boson sampling. While many experimental demonstrations have been done in one-dimensional waveguide arrays, it remains unexplored in higher dimensions due to tight requirement of manipulating and detecting photons in large-scale. Here, we experimentally observe non-classical correlation of two identical photons in a fully coupled two-dimensional structure, i.e. photonic lattice manufactured by three-dimensional femtosecond laser writing. Photon interference consists of 36 Hong-Ou-Mandel interference and 9 bunching. The overlap between measured and simulated distribution is up to 0.890 ± 0.001. Clear photon correlation is observed in the two-dimensional photonic lattice. Combining with controllably engineered disorder, our results open new perspectives towards large-scale implementation of quantum simulation on integrated photonic chips.

arXiv:1606.05637•Optics Express•Jun 1, 2016•19 citations

Two photon dynamics in an integrated photonic three port beamsplitter

Thomas Meany, Michael Delanty, Graham D. Marshall +2 more

We characterize a three dimensional three port beamsplitter device using two photons, the first example of this device in integrated photonics. We observe a Hong-Ou-Mandel dip between output ports showing quantum interference and construct a correlation matrix.

Frontiers in Optics•Jan 1, 2012•0 citations

Integrated quantum interferometry with three-dimensional geometry

Nicolò Spagnolo, Chiara Vitelli, Lorenzo Aparo +5 more

Summary form only given. The main features of quantum mechanics reside into interference deriving from the superposition of different quantum objects. The Hong-Ou-Mandel effect is a purely quantum phenomenon deriving from the interference of two photons. It is a consequence of the bosonic nature of light and can be observed when two identical photons impinge simultaneously on a two-port balanced beam splitter and, as a result, both are forced to exit from the same port. While current quantum optical technology enables two-photon interference both in bulk and integrated systems, simultaneous interference of more than two particles, leading to richer quantum phenomena, is still a challenging task.The emergence of integrated quantum photonics have opened exciting perspectives for the realization of scalable, miniaturized and intrinsically stable optical setups. In particular, the ultrafast laser-writing technique has proved to be a powerful tool for demonstrating new quantum integrated-optics devices, able to perform quantum logic operations as well as two-photon quantum walks. Here we report the experimental observation of threephoton interference in an integrated three-port directional coupler realized by ultrafast laser-writing. By exploiting the capability of this technique to produce three-dimensional structures, we realized and tested in the quantum regime a three-photon beam splitter, namely a tritter, which allowed us to observe bosonic coalescence of three photons [1]. Such a system can be exploited as a building block to implement a generalized class of multi-arm interferometers. We introduce the concept of 3D multi-photon interferometry [2], and we discuss their application in the context of quantum interferometry and quantum phase estimation. We propose novel geometries for integrated multi-arm interferometers based on three-port (tritter) and four-port (quarter) devices, and we discuss possible measurement protocols, based on the injection of multi-photon Fock states in this kind of multi-port devices, demonstrating relevant metrological advantages in phase-estimation tasks. Furthermore, we provide a first insight on the application of this technology in the still unexplored field of multiparameter estimation.Several other contexts may benefit from the adoption of 3-dimensional integrated interferometers realized by femtosecond laser-writing. For instance, they can be adopted for the realization of “proof-of-principle” quantum simulators [3], and, combined in a modular structure, they can be used to realize full-scale quantum simulators for large size quantum systems. The adoption of multiphoton-multimode platforms may indeed disclose the “hardto-simulate” scenario by adopting linear optics to implement a computational power beyond the one of a classical computer.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe & European Quantum Electronics Conference (CLEO/Europe-EQEC)•May 1, 2013•0 citations

Suppression law of quantum states in a 3D photonic fast Fourier transform chip

Andrea Crespi, Roberto Osellame, Roberta Ramponi +7 more

The identification of phenomena able to pinpoint quantum interference is attracting large interest. Indeed, a generalization of the Hong-Ou-Mandel effect valid for any number of photons and optical modes would represent an important leap ahead both from a fundamental perspective and for practical applications, such as certification of photonic quantum devices, whose computational speedup is expected to depend critically on multi-particle interference. Quantum distinctive features have been predicted for many particles injected into multimode interferometers implementing the Fourier transform over the optical modes. Here we develop a scalable approach for the implementation of the fast Fourier transform algorithm using three-dimensional photonic integrated interferometers, fabricated via femtosecond laser writing technique. We observe the suppression law for a large number of output states with four- and eight-mode optical circuits: the experimental results demonstrate genuine quantum interference between the injected photons, thus offering a powerful tool for diagnostic of photonic platforms.

Nature Communications•Feb 4, 2016•142 citations

Three-photon Hong-Ou-Mandel interference at a multiport mixer

Richard A. Campos

We consider a six-port triangular arrangement of beam splitters designed to couple three electromagnetic fields through U(3) unitary transformations. We present conditions for Hong-Ou-Mandel destructive interference of output triple coincidences when single photons are presented, one at each of the three input ports. Unlike the corresponding four-port effect, three-photon Hong-Ou-Mandel interference is sensitive to mixer phases and input-output port reversal.

Physical Review A•Jun 14, 2000•49 citations
We demonstrate three and four input multiports in a three dimensional glass platform, fabricated using the femtosecond laser direct-write technique. Hong-Ou-Mandel (HOM) interference is observed and a full quantum characterization is performed, obtaining two photon correlation matrices for all combinations of input and output ports. For the 3-port case, the quantum visibilities are accurately predicted solely from measurement of the classical coupling ratios.
The investigation of multi-photon quantum interference in symmetric multi-port splitters has both fundamental and applicative interest. Destructive quantum interference in devices with specific symmetry leads to the suppression of a large number of possible output states, generalizing the Hong-Ou-Mandel effect; simple suppression laws have been developed for interferometers implementing the Fourier or the Hadamard transform over the modes. In fact, these enhanced interference features in the output distribution can be used to assess the indistinguishability of single-photon sources, and symmetric interferometers have been envisaged as benchmark or validation devices for Boson-Sampling machines. In this work we devise an innovative approach to implement symmetric multi-mode interferometers that realize the Fourier and Hadamard transform over the optical modes, exploiting integrated waveguide circuits. Our design is based on the optical implementations of the Fast-Fourier and Fast-Hadamard transform algorithms, and exploits a novel three-dimensional layout which is made possible by the unique capabilities of femtosecond laser waveguide writing. We fabricate devices with m = 4 and m = 8 modes and we let two identical photons evolve in the circuit. By characterizing the coincidence output distribution we are able to observe experimentally the known suppression laws for the output states. In particular, we characterize the robustness of this approach to assess the photons' indistinguishability and to rule out alternative non-quantum states of light. The reported results pave the way to the adoption of symmetric multiport interferometers as pivotal tools in the diagnostics and certification of quantum photonic platforms.
Quantum interference and quantum correlation, as two main features of quantum optics, play an essential role in quantum information applications, such as multi-particle quantum walk and boson sampling. While many experimental demonstrations have been done in one-dimensional waveguide arrays, it remains unexplored in higher dimensions due to tight requirement of manipulating and detecting photons in large-scale. Here, we experimentally observe non-classical correlation of two identical photons in a fully coupled two-dimensional structure, i.e. photonic lattice manufactured by three-dimensional femtosecond laser writing. Photon interference consists of 36 Hong-Ou-Mandel interference and 9 bunching. The overlap between measured and simulated distribution is up to 0.890 ± 0.001. Clear photon correlation is observed in the two-dimensional photonic lattice. Combining with controllably engineered disorder, our results open new perspectives towards large-scale implementation of quantum simulation on integrated photonic chips.
Summary form only given. The main features of quantum mechanics reside into interference deriving from the superposition of different quantum objects. The Hong-Ou-Mandel effect is a purely quantum phenomenon deriving from the interference of two photons. It is a consequence of the bosonic nature of light and can be observed when two identical photons impinge simultaneously on a two-port balanced beam splitter and, as a result, both are forced to exit from the same port. While current quantum optical technology enables two-photon interference both in bulk and integrated systems, simultaneous interference of more than two particles, leading to richer quantum phenomena, is still a challenging task.The emergence of integrated quantum photonics have opened exciting perspectives for the realization of scalable, miniaturized and intrinsically stable optical setups. In particular, the ultrafast laser-writing technique has proved to be a powerful tool for demonstrating new quantum integrated-optics devices, able to perform quantum logic operations as well as two-photon quantum walks. Here we report the experimental observation of threephoton interference in an integrated three-port directional coupler realized by ultrafast laser-writing. By exploiting the capability of this technique to produce three-dimensional structures, we realized and tested in the quantum regime a three-photon beam splitter, namely a tritter, which allowed us to observe bosonic coalescence of three photons [1]. Such a system can be exploited as a building block to implement a generalized class of multi-arm interferometers. We introduce the concept of 3D multi-photon interferometry [2], and we discuss their application in the context of quantum interferometry and quantum phase estimation. We propose novel geometries for integrated multi-arm interferometers based on three-port (tritter) and four-port (quarter) devices, and we discuss possible measurement protocols, based on the injection of multi-photon Fock states in this kind of multi-port devices, demonstrating relevant metrological advantages in phase-estimation tasks. Furthermore, we provide a first insight on the application of this technology in the still unexplored field of multiparameter estimation.Several other contexts may benefit from the adoption of 3-dimensional integrated interferometers realized by femtosecond laser-writing. For instance, they can be adopted for the realization of “proof-of-principle” quantum simulators [3], and, combined in a modular structure, they can be used to realize full-scale quantum simulators for large size quantum systems. The adoption of multiphoton-multimode platforms may indeed disclose the “hardto-simulate” scenario by adopting linear optics to implement a computational power beyond the one of a classical computer.
The identification of phenomena able to pinpoint quantum interference is attracting large interest. Indeed, a generalization of the Hong-Ou-Mandel effect valid for any number of photons and optical modes would represent an important leap ahead both from a fundamental perspective and for practical applications, such as certification of photonic quantum devices, whose computational speedup is expected to depend critically on multi-particle interference. Quantum distinctive features have been predicted for many particles injected into multimode interferometers implementing the Fourier transform over the optical modes. Here we develop a scalable approach for the implementation of the fast Fourier transform algorithm using three-dimensional photonic integrated interferometers, fabricated via femtosecond laser writing technique. We observe the suppression law for a large number of output states with four- and eight-mode optical circuits: the experimental results demonstrate genuine quantum interference between the injected photons, thus offering a powerful tool for diagnostic of photonic platforms.