Gaussian quantum states of light have many applications in quantum technologies. Two of the most widely used Gaussian quantum states of light are the single- and two-mode squeezed states. In this thesis, we propose the generation of a hybrid of these two states, which has both properties of single- and two-mode squeezed states. We then extend our method to the generation of multimode squeezed states which posses N-partite entanglement. Our states are defined using Gaussian frequency modes, and our method relies on a nonlinear-optical process called spontaneous parametric downconversion. We shape the joint spectral amplitude of the generated light in two ways, by spectrally engineering the light incident on the crystal and by the engineering of the nonlinear crystal to have desired properties. We first use our method to generate tuneable hybrid squeezed states and then extend it to multimode squeezed states. We then investigate design considerations for the nonlinear crystal and study the effect of fabrication errors. The tuneable hybrid and multimode squeezed states are localized in both frequency and time, making them ideal for a variety of quantum information protocols. We expect that the states will be used to generalize many quantum information protocols to their multimode counterparts, such as, multi-parameter quantum metrology, multi-channel quantum imaging and multi-partite teleportation. Our work will therefore broaden the applicability of optics for the development of quantum technologies.
Gaussian quantum states of light have many applications in quantum technologies. Two of the most widely used Gaussian quantum states of light are the single- and two-mode squeezed states. In this thesis, we propose the generation of a hybrid of these two states, which has both properties of single- and two-mode squeezed states. We then extend our method to the generation of multimode squeezed states which posses N-partite entanglement. Our states are defined using Gaussian frequency modes, and our method relies on a nonlinear-optical process called spontaneous parametric downconversion. We shape the joint spectral amplitude of the generated light in two ways, by spectrally engineering the light incident on the crystal and by the engineering of the nonlinear crystal to have desired properties. We first use our method to generate tuneable hybrid squeezed states and then extend it to multimode squeezed states. We then investigate design considerations for the nonlinear crystal and study the effect of fabrication errors. The tuneable hybrid and multimode squeezed states are localized in both frequency and time, making them ideal for a variety of quantum information protocols. We expect that the states will be used to generalize many quantum information protocols to their multimode counterparts, such as, multi-parameter quantum metrology, multi-channel quantum imaging and multi-partite teleportation. Our work will therefore broaden the applicability of optics for the development of quantum technologies.
Squeezed states are a versatile class of quantum states with applications ranging from quantum computing to high-precision detection. We propose a method for generating tunable squeezed states of light with multiple modes encoded in frequency bins. Our method uses custom-engineered spontaneous parametric downconversion pumped by a pulse-shaped pump field. The multi-mode squeezed states are generated in a single pass and can be tuned in real time by adjusting the properties of the pump field. Exploring new quantum states of light, encoded in new degrees of freedom, can be a fruitful path toward discovering new quantum applications.
Entangled multi-mode squeezed states of light have a wide variety of applications in quantum information systems, particularly in the generation of non-Gaussian states of light, which are central to continuous-variable quantum computing. Although theoretical approaches exist to model the nonlinear generation of one- and two-mode entangled states of light in ring resonator systems, these approaches are difficult to implement in modeling more complicated many-cavity systems. In this work, we present an efficient and accurate theoretical approach to modeling the generation and propagation of quantum states of light in lossy coupled-cavity systems containing a two- or three-mode nonlinear resonant structure. Our approach is general and computationally viable even in systems with hundreds of modes. We apply our method to the design and modeling of a multimode photonic crystal coupled-cavity system for the generation of entangled squeezed states of light on-chip. The system consists of a three-mode resonant structure coupled to three coupled-resonator optical waveguides (CROWs) in a square lattice silicon photonic crystal slab. The computational speed of the method allows us to efficiently optimize the system such that the signal and idler light in the two output CROWs remains entangled even after propagating tens of cavities down the CROWs.
Optical quantum computing, quantum information and quantum communication protocols rely on the generation of qubits encoded in optical systems, many of which can be generate via the process of spontaneous parametric down-conversion. In this thesis, we investigate down-converted states, in the context of quantum computing and quantum information. In the high gain regime, a type I down-converted state can be described as a single-mode squeezed vacuum state. We present an analysis of photon-subtracted squeezed vacuum states as a resource for teleportation of coherent state qubits and propose proof-of-principle experiments for the demonstration of coherent-state teleportation and entanglement swapping. In the low gain regime, the output state of a type II parametric down-converter can be approximated as containing pairs of single photons, which can be used to herald the presence of one- or two- photon Fock states in one mode, conditional on the detection of the same number of photons in the other mode. We explore the effects of spectral filtering and inefficient detection, of the heralding mode, on the count rate, g(2) and purity of the heralded state, as well as the fidelity between the resulting state and an ideal Fock state. We also develop a technique for controlling the joint spectral profile of the down-converted photons. By exploiting the dependence of the effective nonlinearity of a periodically poled crystal on its poling order, we tailor the nonlinearity profile and therefore the phase matching function of the down-converted photons. Finally, we consider the validity of the Taylor series expansion of the unitary operator which governs the evolution of the fields within the crystal, in comparison to the strictly correct time-ordered Dyson series expansion.
Squeezed states are a versatile class of quantum states with applications ranging from quantum computing to high-precision detection. We propose a method for generating tunable squeezed vacuum states of light with multiple modes encoded in frequency bins. Our method uses custom-engineered spontaneous parametric down-conversion pumped by a pulse-shaped pump field. The multimode squeezed states are generated in a single pass and can be tuned in real time by adjusting the properties of the pump field. Exploring new quantum states of light, encoded in new degrees of freedom, can be a fruitful path toward discovering new quantum applications.
Quantum optics has been, from its beginning, a driving force both for the exploration of fundamental limits of the quantum world and for conceiving seminal ideas and applications of the so-called quantum technologies. The last 20 years have seen a rapid development of ideas and proof-of-principle experiments involving the fields of quantum communication, quantum computation, quantum metrology and quantum simulation. The so called continuous variable (CV) approach to quantum optics, which uses many photon in collective states, and continuous observables like the quadratures of the electric field to encode information, has many interesting properties, especially from a communications perspective. It is inherently broadband and compatible with standard telecom infrastructures. Moreover, in CV, entanglement, one of the fundamental resource of quantum optics, can be generated deterministically. One of the main challenges for all quantum information technologies is scalability, being able to generate and manipulate a large number of quantum resources to achieve practical tasks efficiently. One approach to solve the issue of scalability is to use highly multimode quantum states. The quantum description of the electromagnetic field associate each photon (particle of light) with a mode (way for light to propagate). In a mutlimodal approach, we look at the quantum state bases and optical modes bases conjointly and tailor quantum fields not only in given modes, but also optimize the spatio-temporal shapes of the modes in which the state is defined. This opens wide perspectives for treating complex quantum states. In particular, using ultra-fast pulses of light which contain many temporal/spectral modes, we are able to generate large and complex entangled states of light using simple resources. In this thesis, we used an optical parametric oscillator pumped synchronously (SPOPO) with a frequency comb to generate multimode squeezed vacuum states which can be used to form cluster states: a large collection of modes (the nodes) entangled to each other in a certain way. These state are the basic resource for Measurement Based Quantum Computation (MBQC). This set-up has the advantage to generate entanglement in many mode with a single device. It is also highly tunable. Indeed, by tuning the spectrum of the OPO pump with a pulse shaper, one can tailor the properties of the generated quantum state. In this work, we focus on the optimization of the pump spectral shape to generate specific states. Using simulations based on Machine Learning Algorithms (MLA), we find optimal pump profile for typical target states. We then implement those shapes on the experimental set-up and measure the resulting states using multipixel homodyne detection. We also study intra-cavity dispersion effects. Dispersion inside the SPOPO cavity is indeed one of the main factor that limits the number of entangled modes in the generated quantum states. A systematic study of dispersion effects is therefore necessary to model the SPOPO output accurately. This works paves the way toward a fully tunable device that can be optimized in real time to generate specific quantum resources tailored for specific tasks.
Nowadays, the realization of quantum computations and communications based on continuous variables has attracted a significant attention due to a substantial expansion of the system dimensionality. The main progress in this area is attributed to the implementation of multimode systems based on squeezed states of light. One of the simplest ways to generate such states relies upon their producing in a single-pass optical parametric amplifier (OPA) using ultrafast pumping. However, for homodyne detection of such multimode states, the profile of the local oscillator (LO) must perfectly match the profile of the measured mode. Usually, this is not the case; therefore a proper treatment of multimode squeezing is required. In this work, we study both theoretically and experimentally the multimode squeezed light generated in type-0 and type-II OPA. We characterize such sources and investigate the degree of squeezing in dependence on the LO spectral profile, employing a pulse shaping technique. The theoretical analysis is performed using the Schmidt-mode theory. This work might have a significant impact on the realization of multimode quantum protocols