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Photonics Research

Nonlinear interaction between broadband single-photon-level coherent states

Yuanhua Li, Tong Xiang, Yi-you Nie, Ming-huang Sang, Xianfeng Chen

Published Jun 27, 2017• 14 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We experimentally demonstrate the nonlinear interaction between two chirped broadband single-photon-level coherent states. Each chirped coherent state is generated in independent fiber Bragg gratings. They are simultaneously coupled into a high-efficiency nonlinear waveguide, where they are converted into a narrowband single-photon state with a new frequency by the process of sum-frequency generation (SFG). A higher SFG efficiency of 1.06×10−7 is realized, and this efficiency may achieve heralding entanglement at a distance. This also made it possible to realize long-distance quantum communication, such as device-independent quantum key distribution, by directly using broadband single photons without filtering.

DOI
10.1364/prj.5.000324

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We experimentally demonstrate the nonlinear interaction between two chirped broadband single-photon-level coherent states. Each chirped coherent state is generated in independent fiber Bragg gratings. They are simultaneously coupled into a high-efficiency nonlinear waveguide, where they are converted into a narrowband single-photon state with a new frequency by the process of sum-frequency generation (SFG). A higher SFG efficiency of 1.06×10−7 is realized, and this efficiency may achieve heralding entanglement at a distance. This also made it possible to realize long-distance quantum communication, such as device-independent quantum key distribution, by directly using broadband single photons without filtering.
Single-photon frequency conversion for quantum interface plays an important role in quantum communications and networks, which is crucial for the realization of quantum memory, faithful entanglement swapping and quantum teleportation. In this talk, I will present our recent experiments about single-photon frequency conversion based on quadratic nonlinear processes. Firstly, we demonstrated spectrum compression of broadband single photons at the telecom wavelength to the near-visible window. A positively chirped single-photon-level laser pulse and a negatively chirped classical one are converted to a narrowband single-photon pulse, with a spectrum compression factor of 58, through sum-frequency generation (SFG), marking a critical step towards coherent photonic interface. Secondly, we demonstrated the nonlinear interaction between two chirped broadband single-photon-level coherent states. A high SFG efficiency of 1.06 × 10−7 is realized, which may be utilized to achieve heralding entanglement at a distance. Finally, we theoretically introduced and experimentally demonstrated single-photon frequency conversion in the telecom band, enabling switching of single photons between dense wavelength-division multiplexing channels. Using cascaded quasi-phase matched sum/difference frequency generation, the signal photon of a photon pair from spontaneous down-conversion is precisely shifted to identically match its counterpart, i.e. idler photon, in frequency to manifest a clear non-classical dip in the Hong-Ou-Mandel interference. Moreover, quantum entanglement between the photon pair is maintained after the frequency conversion. Our researches have realized three significant quantum interfaces via single-photon frequency conversion, which hold great promise for the development of quantum communications and networks.
Abstract Coherent correlation between two distant broadband single photons can be realized by using the nonlinear optical method, which provides a key technology for spread‐spectrum communication in the quantum network. Here, sum‐frequency generation (SFG) between two broadband single photons is experimentally demonstrated by using chirp technology. The results show that the efficiency of the SFG is 6.51 × 10 −8 , and the visibility of coherent correlation of two distant broadband photons of the telecommunications band is 93.7%. This technique can also be used for other quantum applications, such as quantum entanglement swapping and quantum communication.
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Abstract In photonic quantum information processing, quantum operations using nonlinear photon-photon interactions are vital for implementing two-qubit gates and enabling faithful entanglement swapping. However, due to the weak interaction between single photons, the all-photonic realization of such quantum operations has remained out of reach so far. Herein, we demonstrate an entanglement swapping using sum-frequency generation between single photons in a χ (2)-nonlinear optical waveguide. We show that a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), stable sum-frequency-generation-based entanglement heralder with an ultralow-dark-count superconducting single-photon detector can satisfy the unprecedented SNR requirement indispensable for the swapping protocol. Furthermore, the system clock is enhanced by utilizing ultrafast telecom entangled photon-pair sources that operate in the GHz range. Our results confirm a lower bound 0.770(76) for the swapped state’s fidelity, surpassing the classical limit of 0.5 successfully. Our findings highlight the strong potential of broadband all-single-photonic nonlinear interactions for further sophistication in long-distance quantum communication and photonic quantum computation.
We experimentally demonstrate that the bandwidth of single photons laser pulse is compressed by a factor of 58 in a periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) waveguide chip. A positively chirped single photons laser pulse and a negatively chirped classical laser pulse are employed to produce a narrowband single photon pulse with new frequency through sum-frequency generation. In our experiment, the frequency and bandwidth of single photons at 1550 nm are simultaneously converted. Our results mark a critical step towards the realization of coherent photonic interface between quantum communication at 1550 nm and quantum memory in the near-visible window.
Single-photon frequency conversion for quantum interface plays an important role in quantum communications and networks, which is crucial for the realization of quantum memory, faithful entanglement swapping and quantum teleportation. In this chapter, we will present our recent experiments about single-photon frequency conversion based on quadratic nonlinear processes. Firstly, we demonstrated spectrum compression of broadband single photons at the telecom wavelength to the near-visible window, marking a critical step towards coherent photonic interface. Secondly, we demonstrated the nonlinear interaction between two chirped broadband single-photon-level coherent states, which may be utilized to achieve heralding entanglement at a distance. Finally, we theoretically introduced and experimentally demonstrated single-photon frequency conversion in the telecom band, enabling switching of single photons between dense wavelength-division multiplexing channels. Moreover, quantum entanglement between the photon pair is maintained after the frequency conversion. Our researches have realized three significant quantum interfaces via single-photon frequency conversion, which hold great promise for the development of quantum communications and networks.