Quantum optics with complex light

O. I. Yaroshenko, K. I. Rudik

Experimental data on the amplification of polarized light in optical quantum amplifiers utilizing laserpumped dyes show that, in general, the polarization of the amplified light differs from that of the light being amplified. A theory is put forward whereby this effect is related to the anisotropy of the stimulated emission characteristic of complex organic molecules and is interpreted as a difference between the polarizations of the stimulated emission and stimulating radiation. The complex polarizability tensor is used as the main optical characteristic of complex molecules. The possibility of using the difference between the polarizations of the stimulated emission and stimulating radiation to produce light-amplifying polarizers and optical switches is indicated.

S. Chua

Ramarao Inguva

Ravitej Uppu, Tom A. W. Wolterink, Georgios Ctistis +3 more

Light transport in opaque scattering media mixes the light across the large number of modes in the system. The mixing results in the scrambling of information encoded on the incident light, which is generally detrimental. However, the multimodal transport hints at the possibility of utilizing them as complex optical networks if the transport could be controlled. In recent years, wavefront shaping through adaptive phase control has been used to create multiport optical devices in opaque scattering media. We study the programmability of one such device created in opaque scattering medium, a two-port beam splitter which is a primitive for any complex linear optical network. Here, I will discuss our latest results on the quantum interference between single photons from an ultrabright quantum source at the two-port beam splitter. The novel feature of the realized beam splitter is the programmability of quantum interference between single photons, creating either bunched or anti-bunched light at the outputs. Our demonstration is a first step towards realizing complex optical networks with programmable quantum correlations using opaque scattering media.

Baptiste Courme, Chloé Vernière, Malo Joly +3 more

Optimization approaches are ubiquitous in physics. In optics, they are key to manipulating light through complex media, enabling applications ranging from imaging to photonic simulators. In most demonstrations, however, the optimization process is implemented using classical coherent light, leading to a purely classical solution. Here, we introduce the concept of optical non-classical optimization in complex media. We experimentally demonstrate the control and refocusing of non-classical light—namely, entangled photon pairs—through a scattering medium by directly optimizing the output coincidence rate. Importantly, these optimal solutions cannot be obtained with classical light and do not result in a focus for classical light; this is a result of entanglement in the input state. This genuinely non-classical optimization method promises advances in quantum imaging, communication, and optical simulations with non-classical light.

Ohad Lib, Yaron Bromberg