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

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics

The photon transverse wave function and its measurement

Brian J. Smith, M. G. Raymer, Bryan Killett, Konrad Banaszek, Ian A. Walmsley

Published Jan 1, 2004• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We report on a technique to measure the photon transverse wave function in coordinate space using a photon-counting, parity-inverting Sagnac interferometer. We present measurements of a TEM10 Hermite-Gaussian beam.
DOI
10.1364/iqec.2004.itum4

Related papers

The Photon Transverse Wave Function and its Measurement

Brian J. Smith, Michael G. Raymer, Bryan Killett +2 more

We report on a technique to measure the photon transverse wave function in coordinate space using a photon-counting, parity-inverting Sagnac interferometer. We present measurements of a TEM10 Hermite-Gaussian beam.

Frontiers in Optics•Jan 1, 2004•0 citations

Measurement of the transverse spatial quantum state of light at the single-photon level

Smith, B J, Killett, B, Raymer, M G +2 more

We present an experimental method to measure the transverse spatial quantum state of an optical field in coordinate space at the single-photon level. The continuous-variable measurements are made with a photon-counting, parity-inverting Sagnac interferometer based on all-reflecting optics. The technique provides a large numerical aperture without distorting the shape of the wave front, does not introduce astigmatism, and allows for characterization of fully or partially coherent optical fields at the single-photon level. Measurements of the transverse spatial Wigner functions for highly attenuated coherent beams are presented and compared to theoretical predictions.

•Jul 14, 2005•39 citations

Measurement of the transverse spatial quantum state of light at the single-photon level

Brian J. Smith, I. A. Walmsley, K. Banaszek +2 more

We present an experimental method to measure the transverse spatial quantum state of an optical field in coordinate space at the single-photon level. The continuous-variable measurements are made with a photon-counting, parity-inverting Sagnac interferometer based on all-reflecting optics. The technique provides a large numerical aperture without distorting the shape of the wavefront, does not introduce astigmatism, and allows for characterization of fully or partially coherent optical fields at the single-photon level. Measurements of the transverse spatial Wigner functions for highly attenuated coherent beams are presented and compared with theoretical predictions.

arXiv:quant-ph/0507142•Optics Letters•Dec 15, 2005•54 citations

The one- and two-photon transverse wave functions: theory and experiment

Brian J. Smith, Bryan Killett, A. Nahlik +3 more

We present a method to characterize one- and two-photon transverse wave functions in coordinate space. Measurements of transverse Wigner functions for one- and two-photon states from a spontaneous parametric down conversion source are being made.

Quantum Electronics and Laser Science Conference•Dec 10, 2005•0 citations

Stable mode sorting by two-dimensional parity of photonic transverse spatial states

C. C. Leary, L. A. Baumgardner, M. G. Raymer

We describe a mode sorter for two-dimensional parity of transverse spatial states of light based on an out-of-plane Sagnac interferometer. Both Hermite-Gauss (HG) and Laguerre-Gauss (LG) modes can be guided into one of two output ports according to the two-dimensional parity of the mode in question. Our interferometer sorts HG(nm) input modes depending upon whether they have even or odd order n+m; it equivalently sorts LG(l)(p) modes depending upon whether they have an even or odd value of their orbital angular momentum l. It functions efficiently at the single-photon level, and therefore can be used to sort single-photon states. Due to the inherent phase stability of this type of interferometer as compared to those of the Mach-Zehnder type, it provides a promising tool for the manipulation and filtering of higher order transverse spatial modes for the purposes of quantum information processing. For example, several similar Sagnacs cascaded together may allow, for the first time, a stable measurement of the orbital angular momentum of a true single-photon state. Furthermore, as an alternative to well-known holographic techniques, one can use the Sagnac in conjunction with a multi-mode fiber as a spatial mode filter, which can be used to produce spatial-mode entangled Bell states and heralded single photons in arbitrary first-order (n+m = 1) spatial states, covering the entire Poincar e sphere of first-order transverse modes.

arXiv:0810.2447•Optics Express•Feb 5, 2009•13 citations

Generation of Squeezing in Higher Order Hermite-Gaussian Modes with an Optical Parametric Amplifier

Mikael Lassen, V. Delaubert, C. C. Harb +3 more

We demonstrate quantum correlations in the transverse plane of continuous wave light beams by producing −4.0 dB, −2.6 dB and −1.5 dB of squeezing in the TEM00, TEM10 and TEM20 Hermite-Gauss modes with an optical parametric amplifier, respectively. This has potential applications in quantum information networking, enabling parallel quantum information processing. We describe the setup for the generation of squeezing and analyse the effects of various experimental issues such as mode overlap between pump and seed and nonlinear losses.

arXiv:quant-ph/0606085•Journal of the European Optical Society Rapid Publications•Jan 1, 2006•40 citations
We present an experimental method to measure the transverse spatial quantum state of an optical field in coordinate space at the single-photon level. The continuous-variable measurements are made with a photon-counting, parity-inverting Sagnac interferometer based on all-reflecting optics. The technique provides a large numerical aperture without distorting the shape of the wave front, does not introduce astigmatism, and allows for characterization of fully or partially coherent optical fields at the single-photon level. Measurements of the transverse spatial Wigner functions for highly attenuated coherent beams are presented and compared to theoretical predictions.
We present an experimental method to measure the transverse spatial quantum state of an optical field in coordinate space at the single-photon level. The continuous-variable measurements are made with a photon-counting, parity-inverting Sagnac interferometer based on all-reflecting optics. The technique provides a large numerical aperture without distorting the shape of the wavefront, does not introduce astigmatism, and allows for characterization of fully or partially coherent optical fields at the single-photon level. Measurements of the transverse spatial Wigner functions for highly attenuated coherent beams are presented and compared with theoretical predictions.
We describe a mode sorter for two-dimensional parity of transverse spatial states of light based on an out-of-plane Sagnac interferometer. Both Hermite-Gauss (HG) and Laguerre-Gauss (LG) modes can be guided into one of two output ports according to the two-dimensional parity of the mode in question. Our interferometer sorts HG(nm) input modes depending upon whether they have even or odd order n+m; it equivalently sorts LG(l)(p) modes depending upon whether they have an even or odd value of their orbital angular momentum l. It functions efficiently at the single-photon level, and therefore can be used to sort single-photon states. Due to the inherent phase stability of this type of interferometer as compared to those of the Mach-Zehnder type, it provides a promising tool for the manipulation and filtering of higher order transverse spatial modes for the purposes of quantum information processing. For example, several similar Sagnacs cascaded together may allow, for the first time, a stable measurement of the orbital angular momentum of a true single-photon state. Furthermore, as an alternative to well-known holographic techniques, one can use the Sagnac in conjunction with a multi-mode fiber as a spatial mode filter, which can be used to produce spatial-mode entangled Bell states and heralded single photons in arbitrary first-order (n+m = 1) spatial states, covering the entire Poincar e sphere of first-order transverse modes.
We demonstrate quantum correlations in the transverse plane of continuous wave light beams by producing −4.0 dB, −2.6 dB and −1.5 dB of squeezing in the TEM00, TEM10 and TEM20 Hermite-Gauss modes with an optical parametric amplifier, respectively. This has potential applications in quantum information networking, enabling parallel quantum information processing. We describe the setup for the generation of squeezing and analyse the effects of various experimental issues such as mode overlap between pump and seed and nonlinear losses.