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:2404.10994 · Metrologia

Quantum plasmonic sensing by Hong–Ou–Mandel interferometry

Seungjin Yoon, Yu Sung Choi, Mark Tame, Jae Woong Yoon, Sergey V. Polyakov, Changhyoup Lee

Published Jul 11, 2024• 5 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Abstract We propose a quantum plasmonic sensor using Hong–Ou–Mandel (HOM) interferometry that measures the refractive index of an analyte, embedded in a plasmonic beam splitter composed of a dual-Kretschmann configuration, which serves as a frustrated total internal reflection beamsplitter (BS). The sensing performance of the HOM interferometry, combined with single-photon detectors, is evaluated through Fisher information for estimation of the refractive index of the analyte. This is subsequently compared with the classical benchmark that considers the injection of a coherent state of light into the plasmonic BS. By varying the wavelength of the single photons and the refractive index of the analyte, we identify a wide range where a 50% quantum enhancement is achieved and discuss the observed behaviors in comparison with the classical benchmark. We expect this study to provide a useful insight into the advancement of quantum-enhanced sensing technologies, with direct implications for a wide range of nanophotonic BS structures.

DOI
10.1088/1681-7575/ad61ea

Related papers

Refractive Index Measurement by the Plasmonic Hong-Ou-Mandel Interferometry

Seungjin Yoon, Yu Sung Choi, Mark Tame +3 more

We theoretically propose a quantum plasmonic sensor using Hong-Ou-Mandel interferometry to measure a refractive index embedded in the plasmonic beamsplitter. There is quantum advantage in terms of the Fisher information.

•Jan 1, 2024•0 citations

Quantum properties of plasmonic waveguides

Frederik Dieleman

This thesis investigates properties of quantum states of light while travelling as surface plasmon polaritons in plasmonic waveguides and structures. The bosonic nature of SPPs has been shown in previous work by performing a Hong-Ou-Mandel interference experiment with a plasmonic scattering-based beam splitter. Here, we show the same interference with a higher statistical power thanks to an improved set-up. A visibility of 59 ± 1 % is obtained in the two-photon interference, clearly breaking the classical limit of 50 %. The importance of the phase-relations between the different modes in the beam splitter is experimentally probed. The output state of the interference is then further analyzed by a quantum state tomography set-up. This makes it possible to quantify the entanglement generated in the interference. As the interference happens in the plasmonic beam splitter, this shows, to our knowledge for the first time, entanglement generated in a plasmonic structure. Together with the recent results in terms of entanglement and coherence preservation of SPPs, this clearly shows the potential of quantum plasmonic devices. To move into the realm of applications, we also investigate theoretically the enhancements in sensitivity quantum states of light can deliver for plasmonic sensing. It is shown that despite the losses, quantum metrology techniques can be useful in an interferometer with plasmonic waveguides. Considering the strengths and successes of plasmonic sensing techniques in a wide range of fields, we envision that entangled and squeezed states of light will become a new route to push the limits in sensitivity.

•Mar 1, 2017•1 citation

Quantum plasmonic sensing using single photons

Joong Sung Lee, Seung Jin Yoon, Hyungju Rah +5 more

Reducing the noise below the shot-noise limit in sensing devices is one of the key promises of quantum technologies. Here, we study quantum plasmonic sensing based on an attenuated total reflection configuration with single photons as input. Our sensor is the Kretschmann configuration with a gold film, and a blood protein in an aqueous solution with different concentrations serves as an analyte. The estimation of the refractive index is performed using heralded single photons. We also determine the estimation error from a statistical analysis over a number of repetitions of identical and independent experiments. We show that the errors of our plasmonic sensor with single photons are below the shot-noise limit even in the presence of various experimental imperfections. Our results demonstrate a practical application of quantum plasmonic sensing is possible given certain improvements are made to the setup investigated, and pave the way for a future generation of quantum plasmonic applications based on similar techniques.

arXiv:1806.10300•Optics Express•Oct 25, 2018•49 citations

Integrated quantum photonic sensor based on Hong-Ou-Mandel interference

Sahar Basiri-Esfahani, Casey R. Myers, Ardalan Armin +2 more

Photonic-crystal-based integrated optical systems have been used for a broad range of sensing applications with great success. This has been motivated by several advantages such as high sensitivity, miniaturization, remote sensing, selectivity and stability. Many photonic crystal sensors have been proposed with various fabrication designs that result in improved optical properties. In parallel, integrated optical systems are being pursued as a platform for photonic quantum information processing using linear optics and Fock states. Here we propose a novel integrated Fock state optical sensor architecture that can be used for force, refractive index and possibly local temperature detection. In this scheme, two coupled cavities behave as an "effective beam splitter". The sensor works based on fourth order interference (the Hong-Ou-Mandel effect) and requires a sequence of single photon pulses and consequently has low pulse power. Changes in the parameter to be measured induce variations in the effective beam splitter reflectivity and result in changes to the visibility of interference. We demonstrate this generic scheme in coupled L3 photonic crystal cavities as an example and find that this system, which only relies on photon coincidence detection and does not need any spectral resolution, can estimate forces as small as 10(-7) Newtons and can measure one part per million change in refractive index using a very low input power of 10(-10)W. Thus linear optical quantum photonic architectures can achieve comparable sensor performance to semiclassical devices.

arXiv:1502.03553•Optics Express•Jun 9, 2015•19 citations

Quantum Plasmonic Sensing Using Squeezed Light

Mohammadjavad Dowran

Quantum sensing is an emerging field of quantum optics that seeks to take advantage of quantum correlations available in quantum states of light to enable sensitivities beyond the fundamental classical limits. \nThe sensitivity of measurements and sensing apparatus when using classical states of light is limited to the shot-noise limit (SNL), which is achieved with coherent states of light. \n \nTwo-mode squeezed states of light (twin beams) have quantum correlations both in time and space, leading to temporal and spatial squeezing properties. \nSeveral applications can benefit from such noise reduction to enable new approaches, such as quantum-enhanced interferometry, quantum imaging, and quantum sensing. \nThe emergence of quantum technologies has been referred to as the second quantum revolution. \nFor metrology and sensing applications, in particular, it has led to new state-of-the-art sensitivity limits. \n \nIn this thesis, we discuss the implementation of quantum sensing based on squeezed states of light and plasmonic sensors as a platform for the demonstration of real-life quantum sensing. \nWe present a quantum-enhanced plasmonic sensing setup that can detect changes in the refractive index of air beyond the SNL. \nFurthermore, we generalize such experimental apparatus to probe an array of sensors using the quantum correlations present in different spatial locations to demonstrate a parallel quantum-enhanced plasmonic sensing scheme that can simultaneously detect changes in the refractive index of air in multiple locations with a single probing beam. \nThese results prove the applicability of twin beams for real-life applications based on plasmonic sensors. \nThe spatially resolved sensing scheme can be extended to pixel-size sensing of multiple sensors for multi-parameter estimation and detection applications to reach more complex sensing architectures.

•Aug 5, 2021•0 citations

Hong–Ou–Mandel sensing via superradiant coupling of discrete fluorescent emitters

Roman Shugayev, Ping Lu, Yuhua Duan +1 more

The Hong–Ou–Mandel (HOM) effect is a fascinating quantum phenomenon that defies classical explanation. Traditionally, remote nonlinear sources have been used to achieve coincident photons at the HOM beam splitter. Here, we suggest that the coincident emission source required for HOM interference can be created locally using superradiant near field coupled emitters positioned across the beam splitter gap. We show that sensitivity to permittivity changes in the beam splitter gap, and corresponding Fisher information can be substantially enhanced with HOM photon detection. Subsequently, we outline several strategies for integration of superradiant emitters with practical sensor systems. Taken together, these findings should pave a way for a wide array of near field HOM quantum sensors and novel quantum devices.

AVS Quantum Science•Jul 1, 2022•5 citations
Abstract We propose a quantum plasmonic sensor using Hong–Ou–Mandel (HOM) interferometry that measures the refractive index of an analyte, embedded in a plasmonic beam splitter composed of a dual-Kretschmann configuration, which serves as a frustrated total internal reflection beamsplitter (BS). The sensing performance of the HOM interferometry, combined with single-photon detectors, is evaluated through Fisher information for estimation of the refractive index of the analyte. This is subsequently compared with the classical benchmark that considers the injection of a coherent state of light into the plasmonic BS. By varying the wavelength of the single photons and the refractive index of the analyte, we identify a wide range where a 50% quantum enhancement is achieved and discuss the observed behaviors in comparison with the classical benchmark. We expect this study to provide a useful insight into the advancement of quantum-enhanced sensing technologies, with direct implications for a wide range of nanophotonic BS structures.
This thesis investigates properties of quantum states of light while travelling as surface plasmon polaritons in plasmonic waveguides and structures. The bosonic nature of SPPs has been shown in previous work by performing a Hong-Ou-Mandel interference experiment with a plasmonic scattering-based beam splitter. Here, we show the same interference with a higher statistical power thanks to an improved set-up. A visibility of 59 ± 1 % is obtained in the two-photon interference, clearly breaking the classical limit of 50 %. The importance of the phase-relations between the different modes in the beam splitter is experimentally probed. The output state of the interference is then further analyzed by a quantum state tomography set-up. This makes it possible to quantify the entanglement generated in the interference. As the interference happens in the plasmonic beam splitter, this shows, to our knowledge for the first time, entanglement generated in a plasmonic structure. Together with the recent results in terms of entanglement and coherence preservation of SPPs, this clearly shows the potential of quantum plasmonic devices. To move into the realm of applications, we also investigate theoretically the enhancements in sensitivity quantum states of light can deliver for plasmonic sensing. It is shown that despite the losses, quantum metrology techniques can be useful in an interferometer with plasmonic waveguides. Considering the strengths and successes of plasmonic sensing techniques in a wide range of fields, we envision that entangled and squeezed states of light will become a new route to push the limits in sensitivity.
Reducing the noise below the shot-noise limit in sensing devices is one of the key promises of quantum technologies. Here, we study quantum plasmonic sensing based on an attenuated total reflection configuration with single photons as input. Our sensor is the Kretschmann configuration with a gold film, and a blood protein in an aqueous solution with different concentrations serves as an analyte. The estimation of the refractive index is performed using heralded single photons. We also determine the estimation error from a statistical analysis over a number of repetitions of identical and independent experiments. We show that the errors of our plasmonic sensor with single photons are below the shot-noise limit even in the presence of various experimental imperfections. Our results demonstrate a practical application of quantum plasmonic sensing is possible given certain improvements are made to the setup investigated, and pave the way for a future generation of quantum plasmonic applications based on similar techniques.
Photonic-crystal-based integrated optical systems have been used for a broad range of sensing applications with great success. This has been motivated by several advantages such as high sensitivity, miniaturization, remote sensing, selectivity and stability. Many photonic crystal sensors have been proposed with various fabrication designs that result in improved optical properties. In parallel, integrated optical systems are being pursued as a platform for photonic quantum information processing using linear optics and Fock states. Here we propose a novel integrated Fock state optical sensor architecture that can be used for force, refractive index and possibly local temperature detection. In this scheme, two coupled cavities behave as an "effective beam splitter". The sensor works based on fourth order interference (the Hong-Ou-Mandel effect) and requires a sequence of single photon pulses and consequently has low pulse power. Changes in the parameter to be measured induce variations in the effective beam splitter reflectivity and result in changes to the visibility of interference. We demonstrate this generic scheme in coupled L3 photonic crystal cavities as an example and find that this system, which only relies on photon coincidence detection and does not need any spectral resolution, can estimate forces as small as 10(-7) Newtons and can measure one part per million change in refractive index using a very low input power of 10(-10)W. Thus linear optical quantum photonic architectures can achieve comparable sensor performance to semiclassical devices.
Quantum sensing is an emerging field of quantum optics that seeks to take advantage of quantum correlations available in quantum states of light to enable sensitivities beyond the fundamental classical limits. \nThe sensitivity of measurements and sensing apparatus when using classical states of light is limited to the shot-noise limit (SNL), which is achieved with coherent states of light. \n \nTwo-mode squeezed states of light (twin beams) have quantum correlations both in time and space, leading to temporal and spatial squeezing properties. \nSeveral applications can benefit from such noise reduction to enable new approaches, such as quantum-enhanced interferometry, quantum imaging, and quantum sensing. \nThe emergence of quantum technologies has been referred to as the second quantum revolution. \nFor metrology and sensing applications, in particular, it has led to new state-of-the-art sensitivity limits. \n \nIn this thesis, we discuss the implementation of quantum sensing based on squeezed states of light and plasmonic sensors as a platform for the demonstration of real-life quantum sensing. \nWe present a quantum-enhanced plasmonic sensing setup that can detect changes in the refractive index of air beyond the SNL. \nFurthermore, we generalize such experimental apparatus to probe an array of sensors using the quantum correlations present in different spatial locations to demonstrate a parallel quantum-enhanced plasmonic sensing scheme that can simultaneously detect changes in the refractive index of air in multiple locations with a single probing beam. \nThese results prove the applicability of twin beams for real-life applications based on plasmonic sensors. \nThe spatially resolved sensing scheme can be extended to pixel-size sensing of multiple sensors for multi-parameter estimation and detection applications to reach more complex sensing architectures.
The Hong–Ou–Mandel (HOM) effect is a fascinating quantum phenomenon that defies classical explanation. Traditionally, remote nonlinear sources have been used to achieve coincident photons at the HOM beam splitter. Here, we suggest that the coincident emission source required for HOM interference can be created locally using superradiant near field coupled emitters positioned across the beam splitter gap. We show that sensitivity to permittivity changes in the beam splitter gap, and corresponding Fisher information can be substantially enhanced with HOM photon detection. Subsequently, we outline several strategies for integration of superradiant emitters with practical sensor systems. Taken together, these findings should pave a way for a wide array of near field HOM quantum sensors and novel quantum devices.