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arXiv:1803.06319 · Physical review. B./Physical review. B

Overcoming correlation fluctuations in two-photon interference experiments with differently bright and independently blinking remote quantum emitters

Jonas H. Weber, Jan Kettler, Hüseyin Avni Vural, Markus A. Müller, Julian Maisch, Michael Jetter, Simone Luca Portalupi, Peter Michler

Published May 9, 2018• 19 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

As a fundamental building block for quantum computation and communication protocols, the correct verification of the two-photon interference (TPI) contrast between two independent quantum light sources is of utmost importance. Here, we experimentally demonstrate how frequently present blinking dynamics and changes in emitter brightness critically affect the Hong--Ou--Mandel-type (HOM) correlation histograms of remote TPI experiments measured via the commonly utilized setup configuration. We further exploit this qualitative and quantitative explanation of the observed correlation dynamics to establish an alternative interferometer configuration, which is overcoming the discussed temporal fluctuations, giving rise to an error-free determination of the remote TPI visibility. We prove full knowledge of the obtained correlation by reproducing the measured correlation statistics via Monte Carlo simulations. As an exemplary system, we make use of two pairs of remote semiconductor quantum dots; however, the same conclusions apply for TPI experiments with flying qubits from any kind of remote solid-state quantum emitters.

DOI
10.1103/physrevb.97.195414

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As a fundamental building block for quantum computation and communication protocols, the correct verification of the two-photon interference (TPI) contrast between two independent quantum light sources is of utmost importance. Here, we experimentally demonstrate how frequently present blinking dynamics and changes in emitter brightness critically affect the Hong--Ou--Mandel-type (HOM) correlation histograms of remote TPI experiments measured via the commonly utilized setup configuration. We further exploit this qualitative and quantitative explanation of the observed correlation dynamics to establish an alternative interferometer configuration, which is overcoming the discussed temporal fluctuations, giving rise to an error-free determination of the remote TPI visibility. We prove full knowledge of the obtained correlation by reproducing the measured correlation statistics via Monte Carlo simulations. As an exemplary system, we make use of two pairs of remote semiconductor quantum dots; however, the same conclusions apply for TPI experiments with flying qubits from any kind of remote solid-state quantum emitters.
We investigate the effect of blinking on the two-photon interference measurement from two independent quantum emitters. We find that blinking significantly alters the statistics in the Hong-Ou-Mandel second-order intensity correlation function ${\mathrm{g}}^{(2)}(\ensuremath{\tau})$ and the outcome of two-photon interference measurements performed with independent quantum emitters. We theoretically demonstrate that the presence of blinking can be experimentally recognized by a deviation from the gD(2)(0)=0.5{\mathrm{g}}_{D}^{(2)}(0)=0.5gD(2)​(0)=0.5 value when distinguishable photons from two emitters impinge on a beam splitter. Our findings explain the significant differences between linear losses and blinking for correlation measurements between independent sources and are experimentally verified using a parametric down-conversion photon-pair source. We show that blinking imposes a mandatory cross-check measurement to correctly estimate the degree of indistinguishability of photons emitted by independent quantum emitters.
Abstract Multiphoton interference is an important phenomenon in modern quantum mechanics and experimental quantum optics, and it is fundamental for the development of quantum information science and technologies. Over the last three decades, several theoretical and experimental studies have been performed to understand the essential principles underlying such interference and to explore potential applications. Recently, the two-photon interference (TPI) of phase-randomized weak coherent states has played a key role in the realization of long-distance quantum communication based on the use of classical light sources. In this context, we investigated TPI experiments with weak coherent pulses and quantitatively analyzed the results in terms of the single- and coincidence-counting rates and one- and two-photon interference-fringe shapes. We experimentally examined the Hong-Ou-Mandel-type TPI of phase-randomized weak coherent pulses to compare the TPI effect at the single-photon level with that of correlated photons. Further experiments were also performed with two temporally- and spatially separated weak coherent pulses. Although the observed interference results, including the results of visibility and fringe shape, can be suitably explained by classical intensity correlation, the physics underlying the TPI effect needs to be interpreted as the interference between the two-photon states at the single-photon level within the utilized interferometer. The results of this study can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the TPI of coherent light at the single-photon level.
Multiphoton interference is an important phenomenon in modern quantum mechanics and experimental quantum optics, and it is fundamental for the development of quantum information science and technologies. Over the last three decades, several theoretical and experimental studies have been performed to understand the essential principles underlying such interference and to explore potential applications. Recently, the two-photon interference (TPI) of phase-randomized weak coherent states has played a key role in the realization of long-distance quantum communication based on the use of classical light sources. In this context, we investigated TPI experiments with weak coherent pulses at the single-photon level and quantitatively analyzed the results in terms of the single- and coincidence-counting rates and one- and two-photon interference-fringe shapes. We experimentally examined the Hong-Ou-Mandel-type TPI of phase-randomized weak coherent pulses to compare the TPI effect with that of correlated photons. Further experiments were also performed with two temporally- and spatially separated weak coherent pulses. Although the observed interference results, including the results of visibility and fringe shape, can be suitably explained by classical intensity correlation, the physics underlying the TPI effect needs to be interpreted as the interference between the two-photon states at the single-photon level within the utilized interferometer. The results of this study can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the TPI of coherent light at the single-photon level.
In the present work, we derive a formalism that can be used to predict and interpret the time structure and achievable visibilities for two-photon interference (TPI) experiments using photons from two separate sources. The treatment particularly addresses photons stemming from solid state quantum emitters, which are often subject to pure dephasing and spectral diffusion. Therefore, it includes the impact of phase- and emission frequency-jitter besides the influence of differing radiative lifetimes and a relative spectral detuning. While the treatment is mainly aimed at interference experiments after Hong–Ou–Mandel, we additionally offer generalized equations that are applicable to arbitrary linear optical gates, which rely on TPI.
Two-photon interference (TPI) underpins many photonic quantum technologies and is commonly regarded as a quantum effect requiring indistinguishable photons. Here, we demonstrate TPI between single photons with ultralong coherence time and an independent continuous-wave laser. The measurements reveal a sharp antibunching dip, governed by the single-photon correlation time, together with a broad Hong-Ou-Mandel dip whose half-width is set by the mutual coherence time of the two sources. We achieve a maximum TPI visibility of 72 ± 2 % , well above the 50 % classical limit, thereby confirming the quantum nature of TPI. At the same time, we observe a broad visibility background and a beat visibility below 50 % , signatures of classical interference. Both quantum and classical visibility features remain unchanged for frequency separations up to 10 4 times the linewidth of the single photons, showing no distinction between distinguishable and indistinguishable photons. By applying both general wave superposition theory and a quantum field approach, we derive the same cross-correlation functions that quantitatively reproduce the data. Our results show that quantum and classical features of TPI originate from the same underlying fourth-order interference process arising from second-order interference within the mutual coherence time. Photon indistinguishability is a sufficient condition for TPI to occur, but not a necessary one. This insight offers different perspectives for the development of quantum photonic technologies based on independent photons.
The observation of the Hong–Ou–Mandel (HOM)-type two-photon interference (TPI) has played an important role in the development of photonic quantum technologies. The time-resolved coincidence-detection technique has been effectively used to identify and characterize the TPI phenomena of long-coherence optical fields. Here, we report on the experimental demonstration of the TPI of two phase-randomized weak coherent pulses with time-resolved coincidence detection. The mutual coherence time between the two weak coherent lights is determined by applying a frequency noise to one of the two interfering lights. We analyze the HOM-type TPI fringe visibility according to the ratio of the coherence time to the pulse duration.