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

Frontiers in Optics

Spatial Entanglement and Optimal Single-Mode Coupling

Ryan S. Bennink, Warren P. Grice, D. S. Goodman, Andrew T. Ryan

Published Jan 1, 2009• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We theoretically and experimentally show that the single-mode collection efficiency of spontaneous parametric down-conversion photons is inversely related to the photons’ degree of spatial entanglement.
DOI
10.1364/fio.2009.jma7

Related papers

Spatial entanglement and optimal single-mode coupling

Warren P. Grice, Ryan S. Bennink, D. S. Goodman +1 more

The challenge of optimizing the emission into single spatial modes of photons from spontaneous parametric down-conversion is addressed from the perspective of spatial entanglement. It is shown that single-mode coupling is most efficient in the absence of entanglement. Evidence of the relationship between spatial entanglement and pump focusing is revealed through experimental results, and numerical simulations show that spatial entanglement and single-mode coupling are optimized under nearly identical pump parameters.

Physical Review A•Feb 15, 2011•39 citations

Spatial Entanglement and Efficient Coupling to Single Spatial Modes

Warren P. Grice, Ryan S. Bennink, Douglas S. Goodman +1 more

Single-mode coupling efficiency of photons produced via spontaneous parametric down-conversion is limited by entanglement in the photons’ spatial degree of freedom. Results are presented illustrating the relationship between pump divergence and the photons’ spatial entanglement.

The Rochester Conferences on Coherence and Quantum Optics and the Quantum Information and Measurement meeting•Jan 1, 2007•0 citations

Spatial and spectral properties of entangled photons from spontaneous parametric down-conversion with a focused pump

Jong Chan Lee, Yoon-Ho Kim

Optics Communications•Dec 23, 2015•11 citations

Spectral and spatial effects in spontaneous parametric down-conversion with a focused pump

Warren P. Grice, Ryan S. Bennink, Zhi Gao Zhao +3 more

Photons produced in the process of spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) are typically entangled in multiple degrees of freedom. Although polarization is often the parameter of interest, the presence of spectral or spatial entanglement can complicate experiments, either by reducing the visibility of certain interference effects or by reducing collection efficiency. Several recent works have shown that the collection efficiency can be improved by focusing the pump beam. This approach has the added benefit of increasing the bandwidths of the emitted photons. We show that, in the case of type II SPDC, a focused pump can result in different spatial profiles for the signal and idler. If the crystal is configured for emission of polarization-entangled photon pairs, this effect will reduce the fidelity of that entanglement. Moreover, this spatial asymmetry leads to different spectral profiles for the two photons, even when the pump is monochromatic. The spectral and spatial asymmetries can be attributed to the difference in the angular dispersion (walk-off) of the two polarizations, along with a strong correlation between wavelength and emission direction. We also examine the link between spatial entanglement and single-mode coupling efficiency. We find that efficiency is maximized when spatial entanglement can be eliminated. For the case in which walk-off does not play a role, this can be accomplished by properly focusing the pump.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Aug 1, 2008•3 citations

Spatial and temporal characteristics of spontaneous parametric down-conversion with varying focal planes of interacting beams

Richard Bernecker, Baghdasar Baghdasaryan, S. Fritzsche

Abstract Spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) is a widely used process to prepare entangled photon pairs. In SPDC, a second-order nonlinear crystal is pumped by a coherent laser beam to generate photon pairs. The photon pairs are usually detected by single-mode fibers (SMF), where only photons in a Gaussian mode can be collected. The collection modes possess typical Gaussian parameters, namely a beam waist and a focal plane position. The collection efficiency of photons highly depends on the choice of both parameters. The exact focal plane position of the pump beam relative to those of the detection modes is difficult to determine in a real experiment. Usually, theoretical and experimental studies assume that the focal plane positions of the pump and the generated beams are positioned in the center of the crystal. The displacement of beam focal planes can lead to deviations from expected results and the coupling efficiency into SMF can decrease. In this study, we theoretically examine variable positions of focal planes in the Laguerre–Gaussian basis, a popular experimental modal decomposition of the spatial biphoton state. We explore how the choice of focal plane positions affects the spatial and temporal properties and the purity of the photon pairs. We present SPDC setups where precise knowledge of the focal plane position is essential and scenarios where focal plane displacements have negligible impact on experimental outcomes. Graphical Abstract

The European Physical Journal D•Sep 1, 2023•4 citations

EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF SPATIAL QUTRIT ENTANGLEMENT OF DOWN-CONVERTED PHOTON PAIRS

Gen Taguchi, Tatsuo Dougakiuchi, NOBUAKI YOSHIMOTO +4 more

Foundations of Quantum Mechanics in the Light of New Technology•Jun 1, 2009•0 citations
The challenge of optimizing the emission into single spatial modes of photons from spontaneous parametric down-conversion is addressed from the perspective of spatial entanglement. It is shown that single-mode coupling is most efficient in the absence of entanglement. Evidence of the relationship between spatial entanglement and pump focusing is revealed through experimental results, and numerical simulations show that spatial entanglement and single-mode coupling are optimized under nearly identical pump parameters.
Photons produced in the process of spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) are typically entangled in multiple degrees of freedom. Although polarization is often the parameter of interest, the presence of spectral or spatial entanglement can complicate experiments, either by reducing the visibility of certain interference effects or by reducing collection efficiency. Several recent works have shown that the collection efficiency can be improved by focusing the pump beam. This approach has the added benefit of increasing the bandwidths of the emitted photons. We show that, in the case of type II SPDC, a focused pump can result in different spatial profiles for the signal and idler. If the crystal is configured for emission of polarization-entangled photon pairs, this effect will reduce the fidelity of that entanglement. Moreover, this spatial asymmetry leads to different spectral profiles for the two photons, even when the pump is monochromatic. The spectral and spatial asymmetries can be attributed to the difference in the angular dispersion (walk-off) of the two polarizations, along with a strong correlation between wavelength and emission direction. We also examine the link between spatial entanglement and single-mode coupling efficiency. We find that efficiency is maximized when spatial entanglement can be eliminated. For the case in which walk-off does not play a role, this can be accomplished by properly focusing the pump.
Abstract Spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) is a widely used process to prepare entangled photon pairs. In SPDC, a second-order nonlinear crystal is pumped by a coherent laser beam to generate photon pairs. The photon pairs are usually detected by single-mode fibers (SMF), where only photons in a Gaussian mode can be collected. The collection modes possess typical Gaussian parameters, namely a beam waist and a focal plane position. The collection efficiency of photons highly depends on the choice of both parameters. The exact focal plane position of the pump beam relative to those of the detection modes is difficult to determine in a real experiment. Usually, theoretical and experimental studies assume that the focal plane positions of the pump and the generated beams are positioned in the center of the crystal. The displacement of beam focal planes can lead to deviations from expected results and the coupling efficiency into SMF can decrease. In this study, we theoretically examine variable positions of focal planes in the Laguerre–Gaussian basis, a popular experimental modal decomposition of the spatial biphoton state. We explore how the choice of focal plane positions affects the spatial and temporal properties and the purity of the photon pairs. We present SPDC setups where precise knowledge of the focal plane position is essential and scenarios where focal plane displacements have negligible impact on experimental outcomes. Graphical Abstract