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Optics Express

Experimental realization of a 2 × 2 polarization-independent split-ratio-tunable optical beam splitter

Ran Yang, Jian Li, Xiaobo Song, Ting Gao, Yiran Li, Yun-Jiao Zhang, Xiaoxi Chen, Yan-Xiao Gong

Published Dec 1, 2016• 5 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We realized a polarization-independent split-ratio-tunable optical beam splitter supporting two input and output ports through a stable interferometer. By adjusting the angle of a half-wave plate in the interferometer, we can tune the beam splitter reflectivities for both input ports from 0 to 1, regardless of the input light polarization. High-fidelity polarization-preserving transmission from input to output ports was verified by complete quantum process tomography. Nearly optimal interference effects at the beam splitter with various split ratios were observed by two-photon Hong-Ou-Mandel interference for different input polarization states. Such a beam splitter could find a variety of applications in classical and quantum optical technologies.

DOI
10.1364/oe.24.028519

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We realized a polarization-independent split-ratio-tunable optical beam splitter supporting two input and output ports through a stable interferometer. By adjusting the angle of a half-wave plate in the interferometer, we can tune the beam splitter reflectivities for both input ports from 0 to 1, regardless of the input light polarization. High-fidelity polarization-preserving transmission from input to output ports was verified by complete quantum process tomography. Nearly optimal interference effects at the beam splitter with various split ratios were observed by two-photon Hong-Ou-Mandel interference for different input polarization states. Such a beam splitter could find a variety of applications in classical and quantum optical technologies.
We propose a quantum beam splitter (QBS) with tunable reflection and transmission coefficients. More importantly, our device based on a Hermitian parity-time (PT\mathcal{PT}PT) symmetric system enables the generation and manipulation of asymmetric quantum coherence of the output photons. For the interference of two weak coherent-state inputs, our QBS can produce anti-bunched photons from one output port and bunched photons from the other, showcasing high parity asymmetry and strong coherence control capabilities. Beyond the Hong-Ou-Mandel effect, perfect photon blockade with vanishing g(2)(0)g^{(2)}(0)g(2)(0) is achievable in two-photon interference. These striking effects of the QBS fundamentally arise from the parity-symmetry-breaking interaction and the quantum interference between the photon scattering channels. Our results could inspire novel applications and the development of innovative photonic devices for the manipulation of weak quantum light.
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The tunable beam splitter (TBS) is a fundamental component used in optical experiments. A TBS can preserve the orbital angular momentum (OAM) states; in addition, the polarization states of photons are valuable for some particular experiments, such as high-dimensional quantum information processing. We use polarization beam splitters and half-wave plates to realize such a TBS under a compact structure, which can reduce the number of elements that require comparing with existing works. The experiments verify that the TBS has good performances in tunability, polarization, and OAM state preservation. A Sagnac interferometer is implemented with the proposed TBS to evaluate its practical usability, and the mean visibilities greater than 99.30% under varying polarization states demonstrate its potential for optical information processing.
We propose a quantum beam splitter (QBS) with tunable reflection and transmission coefficients. More importantly, our device based on a Hermitian parity-time (PT)(\mathcal{PT})(PT) symmetric system enables the generation and manipulation of asymmetric quantum coherence of the output photons. For the interference of two weak coherent-state inputs, our QBS can produce antibunched photons from one output port and bunched photons from the other, showcasing high parity asymmetry and strong coherence control capabilities. Beyond the Hong-Ou-Mandel effect, perfect photon blockade with vanishing g(2)(0){g}^{(2)}(0)g(2)(0) is achievable in two-photon interference. These striking effects of the QBS fundamentally arise from the parity-symmetry-breaking interaction and the quantum interference between the photon scattering channels. Our results could inspire novel applications and the development of innovative photonic devices for the manipulation of weak quantum light.
We theoretically demonstrate that a photonic crystal microcavity coupled to waveguides works as an optical beam splitter. Numerical simulations illustrate that spatially separated two output modes have a relative phase close to $\ensuremath{\pi}/2$ and tunable transmission coefficients. The general transformation of this beam splitter gives a single-qubit rotation operator about the xxx axis. Using such beam splitters, we show single-photon interference via the Mach-Zehnder interferometer and two-photon entanglement via Hong-Ou-Mandel effect. This system may have great applications in constructing interferometers and integrated circuits for optical quantum information processing with solid-state materials.
A beam splitter is a key component used to direct and combine light paths in various optical and microwave systems. It plays a crucial role in devices like interferometers, such as the Mach–Zehnder and Hong–Ou–Mandel setups, where it splits light into different paths for interference measurements. These measurements are vital for precise phase and coherence testing in both classical and quantum optical experiments. In this work, we present a nonlinear beam splitter and beam combiner utilizing a frequency-tunable superconducting artificial atom in a one-dimensional open waveguide. Probed with coherent states at the single-photon level (average photon number ⟨N⟩ ≪1), this device demonstrates highly tunable transparency, ranging from near unity to complete reflection. Additionally, the beam combiner can merge two coherent beams, generating interference fringes as the relative phase between them varies.