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

Experimental Noiseless Attenuation with Heralding on Zero Photons

Cory M. Nunn, J. D. Franson, T. B. Pittman

Published Jan 1, 2021• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Heralded noiseless attenuation is theoretically achievable with linear optics and an uncommon measurement of zero photons in an auxiliary mode. We review this phenomenon and describe experimental progress toward demonstrating it in two physical systems.
DOI
10.1364/cleo_qels.2021.ftu4g.5

Related papers

Heralded Noiseless Attenuation for Quantum Optical Communication

Cory M. Nunn, J. D. Franson, T. B. Pittman

Motivated by potential applications in quantum communications, we review the process of noiseless attenuation, theoretically achievable with linear optics and post-selection, and describe experimental progress toward demonstrating this phenomenon in two physical systems.

Frontiers in Optics•Jan 1, 2020•0 citations

Modifying quantum optical states by zero-photon subtraction

Cory M. Nunn, J. D. Franson, T. B. Pittman

The authors experimentally demonstrate that, counterintuitively, the heralding of zero photons in an ancillary mode can reduce the mean photon number in an optical mode despite the fact that no photons have been removed from the system. This scheme finds an immediate application in the process of noiseless attenuation.

arXiv:2112.11990•Physical Review A•Mar 2, 2022•24 citations

Noiseless attenuation using an optical parametric amplifier

R. A. Brewster, I. C. Nodurft, T. B. Pittman +1 more

The process of heralded noiseless amplification, and the inverse process of heralded noiseless attenuation, have potential applications in the context of quantum communications. Although several different physical implementations of heralded noiseless amplifiers have now been demonstrated, the research on heralded noiseless attenuators has been largely confined to a beam-splitter based approach. Here we show that an optical parametric amplifier (OPA), combined with appropriate heralding, can also serve as a heralded noiseless attenuator. The counterintuitive use of an optical amplifier as an attenuator is only possible due to the probabilistic nature of the device.

arXiv:1709.00367•Physical Review A•Oct 9, 2017•26 citations

Heralded noiseless amplification and attenuation of non-Gaussian states of light

Christos N. Gagatsos, Jaromı́r Fiurášek, Alessandro Zavatta +2 more

We examine the behavior of non-Gaussian states of light under the action of probabilistic noiseless amplification and attenuation. Surprisingly, we find that the mean-field amplitude may decrease in the process of noiseless amplification---or may increase in the process of noiseless attenuation, a counterintuitive effect that Gaussian states cannot exhibit. This striking phenomenon could be tested with experimentally accessible non-Gaussian states, such as single-photon added coherent states. We propose an experimental scheme, which is robust with respect to the major experimental imperfections, such as inefficient single-photon detection and imperfect photon addition. In particular, we argue that the observation of mean-field amplification by noiseless attenuation should be feasible with current technology.

arXiv:1403.6054•Physical Review A•Jun 9, 2014•42 citations

Heralding on the detection of zero photons

Cory M. Nunn, J. D. Franson, T. B. Pittman

Although heralding signals in quantum optics experiments are typically based on the detection of exactly one photon, it has recently been theoretically shown that heralding based on the detection of zero photons can be useful in a number of quantum information applications. Here we experimentally investigate a technique for ``heralding on zero photons'' using conventional single-photon detectors. We illustrate how detector efficiency and dark count rates play a counterintuitive role in the ability to accurately detect zero photons, and we use a variant of the Hong-Ou-Mandel interferometer to study the deleterious effects of limited detector efficiency when heralding on zero.

arXiv:2107.03468•Physical Review A•Sep 30, 2021•27 citations

Heralded Noiseless Amplification of a Photon Polarization Qubit

Sacha Kocsis, Guo‐Yong Xiang, Timothy C. Ralph +1 more

We demonstrate heralded loss reduction of a qubit channel, using a two-mode coherent noiseless amplifier operating on the polarization of a single photon. We increase transmission fidelity by up to a factor of five.

•Jan 1, 2013•8 citations
The process of heralded noiseless amplification, and the inverse process of heralded noiseless attenuation, have potential applications in the context of quantum communications. Although several different physical implementations of heralded noiseless amplifiers have now been demonstrated, the research on heralded noiseless attenuators has been largely confined to a beam-splitter based approach. Here we show that an optical parametric amplifier (OPA), combined with appropriate heralding, can also serve as a heralded noiseless attenuator. The counterintuitive use of an optical amplifier as an attenuator is only possible due to the probabilistic nature of the device.
We examine the behavior of non-Gaussian states of light under the action of probabilistic noiseless amplification and attenuation. Surprisingly, we find that the mean-field amplitude may decrease in the process of noiseless amplification---or may increase in the process of noiseless attenuation, a counterintuitive effect that Gaussian states cannot exhibit. This striking phenomenon could be tested with experimentally accessible non-Gaussian states, such as single-photon added coherent states. We propose an experimental scheme, which is robust with respect to the major experimental imperfections, such as inefficient single-photon detection and imperfect photon addition. In particular, we argue that the observation of mean-field amplification by noiseless attenuation should be feasible with current technology.
Although heralding signals in quantum optics experiments are typically based on the detection of exactly one photon, it has recently been theoretically shown that heralding based on the detection of zero photons can be useful in a number of quantum information applications. Here we experimentally investigate a technique for ``heralding on zero photons'' using conventional single-photon detectors. We illustrate how detector efficiency and dark count rates play a counterintuitive role in the ability to accurately detect zero photons, and we use a variant of the Hong-Ou-Mandel interferometer to study the deleterious effects of limited detector efficiency when heralding on zero.