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

Physical Review A

Two-photon quantum interference in a Michelson interferometer

Satoru Odate, Hai-bo Wang, Takayoshi Kobayashi

Published Dec 23, 2005• 11 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We have observed two-photon quantum interference in a Michelson interferometer. For the first time, we experimentally demonstrated two-photon quantum interference patterns, which show the transition from nonsubwavelength interference fringes to the general subwavelength interference. At the same time, a photon bunching effect was also shown by a postselection. The \ensuremath{\mid}1, 1⟩ state with a single photon in a mode corresponding to each arm of the interferometer was exclusively postselected by using path difference between two arms.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.72.063812

Related papers

Two-photon interference of temporally separated photons

Heonoh Kim, Sang Min Lee, Han Seb Moon

We present experimental demonstrations of two-photon interference involving temporally separated photons within two types of interferometers: a Mach-Zehnder interferometer and a polarization-based Michelson interferometer. The two-photon states are probabilistically prepared in a symmetrically superposed state within the two interferometer arms by introducing a large time delay between two input photons; this state is composed of two temporally separated photons, which are in two different or the same spatial modes. We then observe two-photon interference fringes involving both the Hong-Ou-Mandel interference effect and the interference of path-entangled two-photon states simultaneously in a single interferometric setup. The observed two-photon interference fringes provide simultaneous observation of the interferometric properties of the single-photon and two-photon wavepackets. The observations can also facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of the origins of the interference phenomena arising from spatially bunched/anti-bunched two-photon states comprised of two temporally separated photons within the interferometer arms.

arXiv:1607.03678•Scientific Reports•Oct 6, 2016•32 citations

Two-photon interferences of nondegenerate photon pairs from Doppler-broadened atomic ensemble

Jiho Park, Heonoh Kim, Han Seb Moon

Rb atoms. When two photons with different wavelengths are incident on a polarization-based Michelson interferometer, two kinds of two-photon superposition states, the frequency-entangled state and dichromatic path-entangled state depending on whether the two photons are in different paths or in the same path, are probabilistically generated within the interferometer arms. Hong-Ou-Mandel-type interference fringes resulting from the frequency-entangled state are observed over the range of the single-photon coherence length, following introduction of a coarse path-length difference between the two interferometer arms and employing phase randomization. When the interferometer is highly phase-sensitive without phase randomization, a phase super-resolved fringe arising from the dichromatic path-entangled state is observed, both with and without the accompanying one-photon interference fringes.

Optics Express•Dec 8, 2017•9 citations

Coherence measurements with the two-photon Michelson interferometer

Dorilian Lopez-Mago, Lukáš Novotný

The interference of entangled photon pairs permits the study of the fundamental properties of quantum mechanics. The process is also finding practical applications in optical imaging. The Michelson interferometer provides an elegant means for characterizing the degree of two-photon entanglement, but the technique has not yet been described and analyzed in detail. Here we provide a full description of the interference of collinear down-converted photons in a Michelson interferometer. We explain the basic elements that characterize the interference pattern and complement the theory with experimental measurements. The two-photon Michelson interferometer can be used in quantum optical coherence tomography for dispersion-free imaging and localization.

Physical Review A•Aug 14, 2012•26 citations

Description of the states of two-photon interference in an optical gating Michelson interferometer

Ekkarat Pongophas, Watthana Sriklin, Asawin Sinsarp +3 more

We investigate the interference of two photons in an optical gating Michelson interferometer. The phenomenon is studied using two different representations of photons: the space-time domain and a step-by-step two-photon state evolution. Both representations lead to identical results. The evolution analysis describes the result by the interference of four two-photon traveling states, whereas the space-time domain analysis reveals that the classical interference of the high-intensity light source is identical to two-photon interference in the quantum regime, except for a multiplicative factor of (n2), where n is the number of photons.

Journal of Nanophotonics•Mar 8, 2016•2 citations

Description of states of two-photon interference in optical gating Michelson interferometer

Ekkarat Pongophas, Asawin Sinsarp, Sujin Suwanna +2 more

The interference of two photons in the optical gating Michelson interferometer is investigated. The phenomenon is studied using two different representations of photons: the space-time domain and a step-by-step two photon state evolution. Both representations lead to an equivalent description of the two-photon states which is the interference of four cases of two-photon traveling states, as implied by the evolution analysis. Additionally, the space-time domain analysis reveals that the classical interference of high-intensity light source is identical to the two-photon interference in the quantum regime except for a multiplicative factor of (n 2), where n is the number of photons.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Jul 29, 2015•1 citation

Quantum interference of a mode-locked two-photon state

Hai-bo Wang, Takayoshi Kobayashi

In this paper, the quantum interference of a mode-locked two-photon state, which is a new phenomenon that has recently been experimentally observed, is analyzed. We show some interference fringes that will be observed in an unbalanced Mach-Zehnder interferometer.

Physical Review A•Nov 16, 2004•2 citations
We have observed two-photon quantum interference in a Michelson interferometer. For the first time, we experimentally demonstrated two-photon quantum interference patterns, which show the transition from nonsubwavelength interference fringes to the general subwavelength interference. At the same time, a photon bunching effect was also shown by a postselection. The \ensuremath{\mid}1, 1⟩ state with a single photon in a mode corresponding to each arm of the interferometer was exclusively postselected by using path difference between two arms.
We present experimental demonstrations of two-photon interference involving temporally separated photons within two types of interferometers: a Mach-Zehnder interferometer and a polarization-based Michelson interferometer. The two-photon states are probabilistically prepared in a symmetrically superposed state within the two interferometer arms by introducing a large time delay between two input photons; this state is composed of two temporally separated photons, which are in two different or the same spatial modes. We then observe two-photon interference fringes involving both the Hong-Ou-Mandel interference effect and the interference of path-entangled two-photon states simultaneously in a single interferometric setup. The observed two-photon interference fringes provide simultaneous observation of the interferometric properties of the single-photon and two-photon wavepackets. The observations can also facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of the origins of the interference phenomena arising from spatially bunched/anti-bunched two-photon states comprised of two temporally separated photons within the interferometer arms.
Rb atoms. When two photons with different wavelengths are incident on a polarization-based Michelson interferometer, two kinds of two-photon superposition states, the frequency-entangled state and dichromatic path-entangled state depending on whether the two photons are in different paths or in the same path, are probabilistically generated within the interferometer arms. Hong-Ou-Mandel-type interference fringes resulting from the frequency-entangled state are observed over the range of the single-photon coherence length, following introduction of a coarse path-length difference between the two interferometer arms and employing phase randomization. When the interferometer is highly phase-sensitive without phase randomization, a phase super-resolved fringe arising from the dichromatic path-entangled state is observed, both with and without the accompanying one-photon interference fringes.
The interference of entangled photon pairs permits the study of the fundamental properties of quantum mechanics. The process is also finding practical applications in optical imaging. The Michelson interferometer provides an elegant means for characterizing the degree of two-photon entanglement, but the technique has not yet been described and analyzed in detail. Here we provide a full description of the interference of collinear down-converted photons in a Michelson interferometer. We explain the basic elements that characterize the interference pattern and complement the theory with experimental measurements. The two-photon Michelson interferometer can be used in quantum optical coherence tomography for dispersion-free imaging and localization.
We investigate the interference of two photons in an optical gating Michelson interferometer. The phenomenon is studied using two different representations of photons: the space-time domain and a step-by-step two-photon state evolution. Both representations lead to identical results. The evolution analysis describes the result by the interference of four two-photon traveling states, whereas the space-time domain analysis reveals that the classical interference of the high-intensity light source is identical to two-photon interference in the quantum regime, except for a multiplicative factor of (n2), where n is the number of photons.
The interference of two photons in the optical gating Michelson interferometer is investigated. The phenomenon is studied using two different representations of photons: the space-time domain and a step-by-step two photon state evolution. Both representations lead to an equivalent description of the two-photon states which is the interference of four cases of two-photon traveling states, as implied by the evolution analysis. Additionally, the space-time domain analysis reveals that the classical interference of high-intensity light source is identical to the two-photon interference in the quantum regime except for a multiplicative factor of (n 2), where n is the number of photons.