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arXiv:2511.13604

Long-range entanglement and quantum correlations in a multi-frequency comb system

Sahil Pontula, Debasmita Banerjee, Marin Soljacic, Yannick Salamin

quant-phphysics.opticsSubmitted Nov 17, 2025• Announced Nov 18, 2025• 0 citations
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Abstract

Frequency combs are multimode photonic systems that underlie countless precision sensing and metrology applications. Since their invention over two decades ago, numerous efforts have pushed frequency combs to broader bandwidths and more stable operation. More recently, quantum squeezing and entanglement have been explored in single frequency comb systems for quantum advantages in sensing and signal multiplexing. However, the production of quantum light across multiple frequency combs remains unexplored. In this work, we theoretically explore a mechanism that generates a series of nonlinearly coupled frequency combs through cascaded three-wave upconversion and downconversion processes mediated by a single idler comb. We show how this system generates inter- and intracomb two-mode squeezing and entanglement spanning a very large spectral range, from ultraviolet to mid-IR frequencies. Finally, we show how this system can be engineered to produce on-demand multimode quantum light through covariance matrix optimization. Our findings could enable tunable broadband ghost spectroscopy protocols, squeezing-enhanced pump-probe measurements, and broadband entanglement between spectrally-multiplexed quanta of information.

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Frequency combs are multimode photonic systems that underlie countless precision sensing and metrology applications. Since their invention over two decades ago, numerous efforts have pushed frequency combs to broader bandwidths and more stable operation. More recently, quantum squeezing and entanglement have been explored in single frequency comb systems for quantum advantages in sensing and signal multiplexing. However, the production of quantum light across multiple frequency combs remains unexplored. In this work, we theoretically explore a mechanism that generates a series of nonlinearly coupled frequency combs through cascaded three-wave upconversion and downconversion processes mediated by a single idler comb. We show how this system generates inter- and intracomb two-mode squeezing and entanglement spanning a very large spectral range, from ultraviolet to mid-IR frequencies. Finally, we show how this system can be engineered to produce on-demand multimode quantum light through covariance matrix optimization. Our findings could enable tunable broadband ghost spectroscopy protocols, squeezing-enhanced pump-probe measurements, and broadband entanglement between spectrally-multiplexed quanta of information.
Multimode quantum light is enticing for several applications, spanning imaging, spectroscopy, communication, and more. Parametric nonlinear processes have been vital in realizing squeezed and other quantum states of light. However, most work exploiting these processes has focused on generating multimode squeezed vacua and squeezing in mode superpositions (supermodes). Bright squeezing in multiple discrete frequency modes, if realized, could unlock novel applications in quantum-enhanced spectroscopy and optical quantum computing. Here, we show how dissipation engineering of a multimode nonlinear cavity with cascaded three-wave-mixing processes allows us to shape above-threshold frequency combs that feature strong single-mode output amplitude noise squeezing over 10 dB below the shot-noise limit, tunable across the comb. In addition, we demonstrate squeezing for multiple discrete frequency modes above threshold. This bright squeezing arises from enhancement of the (noiseless) nonlinear rate relative to decay rates in the system due to the cascaded generation of photons in a single idler “bath” mode. A natural consequence of the strong nonlinear coupling in our system is the creation of an effective cavity in the synthetic frequency dimension that sustains Bloch oscillations in the modal energy distribution. Bloch mode engineering could provide an opportunity to better control nonlinear energy flow in the synthetic frequency dimension, with exciting applications in quantum random walks and topological photonics. Lastly, we show evidence of long-range correlations in amplitude noise between discrete frequency modes, enabling long-range entanglement in a synthetic frequency dimension and providing a new resource for quantum communication. Published by the American Physical Society 2024
Integrated photonic platforms provide a powerful route toward scalable and stable quantum light sources. In this presentation, we explore how quantum correlations can be generated, distributed, and characterized in the frequency domain using integrated photonic frequency combs. Relying on Kerr nonlinear microresonators operated below and above threshold, we demonstrate the generation of discrete entangled photon pairs as well as bright multipartite quantum states involving many spectral modes. We show how frequency multiplexing enables both multi-user quantum communication and enhanced data rates, while remaining fully compatible with integrated photonic circuits. Beyond bipartite entanglement, we report direct signatures of genuine multipartite quantum correlations in bright frequency combs. These results highlight integrated photonics as a versatile and scalable platform for multimode quantum technologies in communication, sensing, and metrology.
The dynamical behavior of Kerr optical frequency combs is very well understood today from the perspective of the semi-classical approximation. In this article, we provide a theoretical understanding of the phenomena of quantum correlations, multimode entanglement and squeezed states of light that can occur in these frequency combs when quantum noise is accounted for. We prove that for all stationary spatio-temporal patterns, the side-modes that are symmetrical relatively to the central (pumped) mode in the frequency domain display quantum correlations that can lead to squeezed states of light under some optimal conditions that are analytically determined. We show that these quantum correlations can persist regardless the dynamical state of the system (rolls or solitons), regardless of the spectral extension of the comb (number sidemodes), and regardless of the dispersion regime (normal or anomalous). We study with particular emphasis the two principal architectures for Kerr comb generation, namely the add-through and add-drop configurations. We show that in both cases, the ratio between out-coupling and total losses plays a key role as it directly determines the efficiency of the squeezing. We also explicitly determine the phase quadratures leading to photon entanglement, and analytically calculate their quantum noise spectra. The relevance of Kerr combs for quantum information systems at optical telecommunication wavelengths is also discussed.
The investigation of integrated frequency comb sources characterized by equidistant spectral modes was initially driven by considerations toward classical applications, seeking a more practical and miniaturized way to generate stable broadband sources of light. Recently, in the context of scaling the complexity of optical quantum circuits, these on-chip approaches have provided a new framework to address the challenges associated with non-classical state generation and manipulation. For example, multi-photon and high-dimensional states were to date either inaccessible, lacked scalability, or were difficult to manipulate, requiring elaborate approaches. The emerging field of quantum frequency combs studying spectral multimode sources based on the judicious excitation of (typically) third-order nonlinear optical micro-cavities has begun to address these issues. Several quantum sources based on this concept have already been demonstrated, among them are combs of correlated photons, cross-polarized photon pairs, entangled photon pairs, multi-photon states, and high-dimensional entangled states. While sources have achieved increasing complexity, so have coherent state processing operations, demonstrated in a practical manner using standard telecommunications components. Here, we review our recent work in the development of this framework, with a focus on multi-photon and high-dimensional states. The integrated frequency comb platform thus demonstrates significant potential for the development of meaningful quantum optical technologies.