Spatially entangled light has proven to be a critical resource in high-dimensional quantum information applications such as quantum cryptography, quantum sensing, and quantum computing. However, progress in the generation of arbitrary spatially entangled states for these protocols via spontaneous parametric down-conversion has been hindered due to the complex relationship between the nonlinear coupling and the generated quantum state. Here, we employ an inverse-design algorithm for the generation of non-trivial maximally entangled bi-photon qubit and qutrit states in the azimuthal index via spontaneous parametric down-conversion. These states are obtained by shaping the pump spatial distribution as a superposition of Laguerre-Gaussian radial modes. The generated bi-photon states are experimentally characterized through quantum state tomography, with their entanglement verified by breaking generalized Bell inequalities. Finally, we performed a proof-of-principle experiment demonstrating the potential utility of the inverse-designed states in entanglement-based quantum key distribution protocols, measuring quantum error rates of 3.95% and 7.03% for the generated qubit and qutrit states, respectively. Our results validate the inverse-design model in a free-space optical setup and pave the way for high-dimensional spatial-mode entangled state design and generation for quantum network applications.
Spatially entangled light has proven to be a critical resource in high-dimensional quantum information applications such as quantum cryptography, quantum sensing, and quantum computing. However, progress in the generation of arbitrary spatially entangled states for these protocols via spontaneous parametric down-conversion has been hindered due to the complex relationship between the nonlinear coupling and the generated quantum state. Here, we employ an inverse-design algorithm for the generation of non-trivial maximally entangled bi-photon qubit and qutrit states in the azimuthal index via spontaneous parametric down-conversion. These states are obtained by shaping the pump spatial distribution as a superposition of Laguerre-Gaussian radial modes. The generated bi-photon states are experimentally characterized through quantum state tomography, with their entanglement verified by breaking generalized Bell inequalities. Finally, we performed a proof-of-principle experiment demonstrating the potential utility of the inverse-designed states in entanglement-based quantum key distribution protocols, measuring quantum error rates of 3.95% and 7.03% for the generated qubit and qutrit states, respectively. Our results validate the inverse-design model in a free-space optical setup and pave the way for high-dimensional spatial-mode entangled state design and generation for quantum network applications.
Spontaneous parametric downconversion (SPDC) in quantum optics is an invaluable resource for the realization of high-dimensional qudits with spatial modes of light. One of the main open challenges is how to directly generate a desirable qudit state in the SPDC process. This problem can be addressed through advanced computational learning methods; however, due to difficulties in modeling the SPDC process by a fully differentiable algorithm, progress has been limited. Here, we overcome these limitations and introduce a physically constrained and differentiable model, validated against experimental results for shaped pump beams and structured crystals, capable of learning the relevant interaction parameters in the process. We avoid any restrictions induced by the stochastic nature of our physical model and integrate the dynamic equations governing the evolution under the SPDC Hamiltonian. We solve the inverse problem of designing a nonlinear quantum optical system that achieves the desired quantum state of downconverted photon pairs. The desired states are defined using either the second-order correlations between different spatial modes or by specifying the required density matrix. By learning nonlinear photonic crystal structures as well as different pump shapes, we successfully show how to generate maximally entangled states. Furthermore, we simulate all-optical coherent control over the generated quantum state by actively changing the profile of the pump beam. Our work can be useful for applications such as novel designs of high-dimensional quantum key distribution and quantum information processing protocols. In addition, our method can be readily applied for controlling other degrees of freedom of light in the SPDC process, such as spectral and temporal properties, and may even be used in condensed-matter systems having a similar interaction Hamiltonian.
Spontaneous parametric down-conversion in quantum optics is an invaluable resource for the realization of high-dimensional qudits with spatial modes of light. One of the main open challenges is how to directly generate a desirable qudit state in the SPDC process. This problem can be addressed through advanced computational learning methods; however, due to difficulties in modeling the SPDC process by a fully differentiable algorithm that takes into account all interaction effects, progress has been limited. Here, we overcome these limitations and introduce a physically-constrained and differentiable model, validated against experimental results for shaped pump beams and structured crystals, capable of learning every interaction parameter in the process. We avoid any restrictions induced by the stochastic nature of our physical model and integrate the dynamic equations governing the evolution under the SPDC Hamiltonian. We solve the inverse problem of designing a nonlinear quantum optical system that achieves the desired quantum state of down-converted photon pairs. The desired states are defined using either the second-order correlations between different spatial modes or by specifying the required density matrix. By learning nonlinear volume holograms as well as different pump shapes, we successfully show how to generate maximally entangled states. Furthermore, we simulate all-optical coherent control over the generated quantum state by actively changing the profile of the pump beam. Our work can be useful for applications such as novel designs of high-dimensional quantum key distribution and quantum information processing protocols. In addition, our method can be readily applied for controlling other degrees of freedom of light in the SPDC process, such as the spectral and temporal properties, and may even be used in condensed-matter systems having a similar interaction Hamiltonian.
Spontaneous parametric downconversion is the primary source to generate entangled photon pairs in quantum photonics laboratories. Depending on the experimental design, the generated photon pairs can be correlated in the frequency spectrum, polarization, position-momentum, and spatial modes. Exploring the spatial modes' correlation has hitherto been limited to the polar coordinates' azimuthal angle, and a few attempts to study Walsh mode's radial states. Here, we study the full-mode correlation, on a Laguerre-Gauss basis, between photon pairs generated in a type-I crystal. Furthermore, we explore the effect of a structured pump beam possessing different spatial modes onto bi-photon spatial correlation. Finally, we use the capability to project over arbitrary spatial mode superpositions to perform the bi-photon state's full quantum tomography in a 16-dimensional subspace.
Photon pairs generated from spontaneous parametric down-conversion are a well-established method to realize entangled bipartite photonic systems. Laguerre-Gaussian modes, which carry orbital angular momentum (OAM), are commonly exploited to engineer high-dimensional entangled quantum states. For Hilbert spaces with dimension d>2, maximally entangled states (MESs) help to improve the capacity and security of quantum communication protocols, among several other promising features. However, the direct generation of MESs in well-defined high-dimensional subspaces of the infinite OAM basis has remained a challenge. Here, we formalize how the spatial distribution of the pump beam and the nonlinear profile of the crystal can be simultaneously utilized to generate MESs without additional spatial filtering of OAM modes within a subspace. We illustrate our approach with maximally entangled qutrits (d=3) and ququints (d=5).
ObjectiveQuantum communication is an emerging mode of communication with broad application prospects, combining with classical information science and technology. It offers unconditional security and efficient transmission of information, making it a hot research topic in todayƳs communication field. High-dimensional quantum entanglement often exhibits strong nonlocality, enhancing the security in quantum communication processes and playing a crucial role in quantum communication and computing. To meet the demand for high-dimensional entangled states in quantum information science, this paper proposes a method for generating high-dimensional Bell states based on the Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) of photons, capable of producing the complete set of Bell state basis vectors with high fidelity.MethodsInitially, the Spontaneous Parametric Down-Conversion (SPDC) process involving photon OAM is studied. Furthermore, a Genetic Algorithm (GA) is employed to optimize the quantum state of the pump light, aiming to obtain the required high-dimensional maximally entangled states. We analyze the characteristics of Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) beams in detail and explore their application in the SPDC process. By optimizing the parameters of the pump light, maximally entangled states are generated in three-dimensional, four-dimensional, and five-dimensional spaces.ResultsA comparison of the spatial mode spectral distribution shows that the optimized entangled states possess higher fidelity to the target states. Additionally, by simulating the generation of 16 Bell states, it is verified that the produced quantum states form a complete basis for a four-dimensional Hilbert space.ConclusionThe proposed scheme not only effectively generates high-dimensional entangled states but also enables longer-distance quantum communication and potentially global quantum communication systems. Moreover, it provides new avenues for the application of high-dimensional entangled states in the fields of quantum communication and computing, significantly contributing to the advancement of quantum information science.
High-dimensional quantum entanglement is an important resource for fundamental research and quantum technological application. Recently, the orbital angular momentum (OAM) of light has received much attention to realize high-dimensional quantum systems, and generating and manipulating the OAM entanglement has become an important topic. Here, we propose an inverse design technique to manipulate the OAM entanglement of the photon pair generated through spontaneous parametric down-conversion. The proposed technique directly tailors the OAM states of entangled photon pairs by shaping the incident pump beam. In particular, we construct a physics-informed model by leveraging the backpropagation algorithm and adhering to the overlap integral relation. Our model automatically optimizes diffractive masks, allowing the structured pump to quantitatively modulate the OAM distribution. The generation of maximally entangled states in different dimensions is demonstrated numerically and experimentally.