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arXiv:1407.2349 · Physical Review A

Classical realization of dispersion cancellation by time-reversal method

Kazuhisa Ogawa, Shuhei Tamate, Toshihiro Nakanishi, H. Kobayashi, Masao Kitano

Published Jan 30, 2015• 16 citations
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Abstract

We propose a classical optical interferometry scheme that reproduces dispersion-insensitive Hong-Ou-Mandel interferograms. The interferometric scheme is derived from a systematic method based on the time-reversal symmetry of quantum mechanics. The scheme uses a time-reversed version of a Hong-Ou-Mandel interferometer with pairs of orthogonally polarized input laser pulses. We experimentally demonstrate automatic dispersion cancellation using the interferometry. The results show that the interferometer can obtain high-visibility interferograms with high signal conversion efficiency.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.91.013846

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Even-order dispersion cancellation, an effect previously identified with frequency-entangled photons, is demonstrated experimentally for the first time with a linear, classical interferometer. A combination of a broad bandwidth laser and a high resolution spectrometer was used to measure the intensity correlations between anti-correlated optical frequencies. Only 14% broadening of the correlation signal is observed when significant material dispersion, enough to broaden the regular interferogram by 4250%, is introduced into one arm of the interferometer.
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