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Optics Express

Frequency up-conversion of quantum images

Michael Vasilyev, Prem Kumar

Published Mar 7, 2012• 17 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We develop the theory of frequency up-conversion of an arbitrary spatially-broadband quantum state (quantum image), deriving the analytical solutions for the cases of plane-wave pump and short crystal with arbitrary pump. By using an example of the quantum image imposed by the orbital angular momentum of the pump beam in spontaneous parametric down-conversion, we show that 99%-fidelity up-conversion of quantum images from an infrared wavelength to the visible wavelength can be obtained in periodically-poled lithium-niobate crystals at reasonable pump intensities well below the crystal damage threshold.

DOI
10.1364/oe.20.006644

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We develop the theory of frequency up-conversion of an arbitrary spatially-broadband quantum state (quantum image), deriving the analytical solutions for the cases of plane-wave pump and short crystal with arbitrary pump. By using an example of the quantum image imposed by the orbital angular momentum of the pump beam in spontaneous parametric down-conversion, we show that 99%-fidelity up-conversion of quantum images from an infrared wavelength to the visible wavelength can be obtained in periodically-poled lithium-niobate crystals at reasonable pump intensities well below the crystal damage threshold.
Coherent frequency conversion of structured light, i.e. the ability to manipulate the carrier frequency of a wave front without distorting its spatial phase and intensity profile, provides the opportunity for numerous novel applications in photonic technology and fundamental science. In particular, frequency conversion of spatial modes carrying orbital angular momentum can be exploited in sub-wavelength resolution nano-optics and coherent imaging at a wavelength different from that used to illuminate an object. Moreover, coherent frequency conversion will be crucial for interfacing information stored in the high-dimensional spatial structure of single and entangled photons with various constituents of quantum networks. In this work, we demonstrate frequency conversion of structured light from the near infrared (803 nm) to the visible (527 nm). The conversion scheme is based on sum-frequency generation in a periodically poled lithium niobate crystal pumped with a 1540-nm Gaussian beam. We observe frequency-converted fields that exhibit a high degree of similarity with the input field and verify the coherence of the frequency-conversion process via mode projection measurements with a phase mask and a single-mode fiber. Our results demonstrate the suitability of exploiting the technique for applications in quantum information processing and coherent imaging.
Single-photon frequency upconversion is an effective method of infrared single-photon detection and imaging by converting the long-wavelength photons to shorter wavelengths to match the detector’s spectral response. We realized few-photon level 2D infrared imaging with a coincidence frequency upconversion system in a bulk periodically poled lithium niobate crystal. Moreover, the infrared photons carrying orbital angular momentum were converted to the visible regime with high efficiency, while the orbital angular momentum of the photons was well conserved during the frequency upconversion process. The single-photon frequency upconversion method was also used for mid-infrared imaging at 3.39 µm with high efficiency and low noise.
We demonstrate the coherent frequency conversion of structured light, optical beams in which the phase varies in each point of the transverse plane, from the near infrared (803nm) to the visible (527nm). The frequency conversion process makes use of sum-frequency generation in a periodically poled lithium niobate (ppLN) crystal with the help of a 1540-nm Gaussian pump beam. We perform far-field intensity measurements of the frequency-converted field, and verify the sought-after transformation of the characteristic intensity and phase profiles for various input modes. The coherence of the frequency-conversion process is confirmed using a mode-projection technique with a phase mask and a single-mode fiber. The presented results could be of great relevance to novel applications in high-resolution microscopy and quantum information processing.
We demonstrate the utility of frequency upconversion in a non-linear crystal for quantum information applications. By combining a bright “escort” beam with a signal photon inside of a periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) crystal, we are able to achieve near unit conversion efficiency. We use this conversion process to create high-efficiency infrared single-photon detectors by upconverting infrared photons to visible ones and using efficient silicon avalanche photo diodes to detect the upconverted photon. We have achieved a net system detection efficiency of 56%, far superior to previous methods for infrared photon detection. We also demonstrate the phase coherence of the upconversion process, which enables it to convert photonic qubits from one wavelength to another, potentially allowing quantum networks of disparate operating wavelengths to communicate efficiently. This quantum “transduction” feature is observed by upconverting photons passed between two unbalanced Michelson interferometers that create and measure time-bin qubits, similar to those used in many quantum cryptography systems, and verifying that the phase of the qubits is preserved. The Rabi oscillation-like behavior of upconversion is also demonstrated, allowing for the creation and manipulation of highly non-degenerate frequency qubits. These states may be used in conjunction with other degrees of freedom such as polarization, time-bin, or orbital angular momentum states to enlarge the usable single-photon Hilbert space and create a rich vocabulary for transmission of quantum information.
We propose a method of single photon detection of infrared (IR) photons at potentially higher efficiencies and lower noise than allowed by traditional IR band avalanche photodiodes (APDs). By up-converting the photon from the IR, e.g. 1550 nm, to a visible wavelength in a nonlinear crystal, we can utilize the much higher efficiency of silicon APDs at these wavelengths. We have used a periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) crystal and a pulsed 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser to perform the up-conversion to a 631 nm photon. We observed conversion efficiencies as high as ∼ 80%, and demonstrated scaling down to the single photon level while maintaining a background of 3 ×s; 10−4 dark counts per count. We also propose a 2-crystal extension of this scheme, whereby orthogonal polarizations may be up-converted coherently, thus enabling complete quantum state transduction of arbitrary states.
We propose a method of single photon detection of infrared (IR) photons at potentially higher efficiencies and lower noise than allowed by traditional IR band avalanche photodiodes (APDs). By up-converting the photon from the IR, e.g. 1550 nm, to a visible wavelength in a nonlinear crystal, we can utilize the much higher efficiency of silicon APDs at these wavelengths. We have used a periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) crystal and a pulsed 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser to perform the up-conversion to a 631 nm photon. We observed conversion efficiencies as high as ∼ 80%, and demonstrated scaling down to the single photon level while maintaining a background of 3 ×s; 10−4 dark counts per count. We also propose a 2-crystal extension of this scheme, whereby orthogonal polarizations may be up-converted coherently, thus enabling complete quantum state transduction of arbitrary states.