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

Heralded multi-phonon Fock states with forward Brillouin scattering and single-photon detection

Andrew Shepherd, Ryan O. Behunin

Published Jan 1, 2026• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We propose a practical scheme for heralding multi-phonon Fock states using the quantum dynamics of forward Brillouin scattering and single-photon detection. This scheme also enables the production of multi-photon states.
DOI
10.1364/cleo_fs.2026.ftu1e.5

Related papers

Heralded single-phonon preparation in diamond

Santiago Tarrago Velez, Kilian Seibold, Mitchell D. Anderson +2 more

Mechanical oscillators have key technological applications, but extending their use for quantum technologies requires creating well defined quantum states. We demonstrate that we can create the n=1 phonon Fock state in diamond by using a combination of Raman scattering from ultra-fast laser pulses and time-correlated single photon counting.

Symposium Latsis on Diamond Photonics - Physics, Technologies and Applications•Jan 1, 2019•0 citations

Multiphonon Fock state heralding with single-photon detection

Andrew Shepherd, Ryan O. Behunin

Recognized as a potential resource for quantum technologies and a possible test bed for fundamental physics, the control and preparation of nonclassical states of mechanical oscillators have been explored extensively. Within optomechanics, quantum state synthesis can be realized by entangling photonic and phononic degrees of freedom followed by optical detection. Single-photon detection enables one of the most powerful forms of such heralded quantum state preparation, permitting the creation of single-phonon states when applied to conventional cavity optomechanical systems. As the complexity of optomechanical systems increases, single-photon detection may provide heralded access to a larger class of exotic quantum states. Here, we examine the quantum dynamics of optomechanical systems that permit forward Brillouin scattering, where a single-phonon mode mediates transitions between a collection of equally spaced optical resonances. Solving both the Schrodinger equation and the Lindblad master equation for this system, we find that initial states comprised of single photons or weak laser pulses evolve into complex quantum states where the frequency of single-photon states and the phonon occupation number are entangled. Physically, these interactions permit a single photon to scatter to lower frequencies, where phonon excitation occurs for each scattering event. Combining this result with frequency filtering, we show how single-photon detection can herald selected multiphonon Fock states, even in the presence of optical losses. We also present an approach for quantum tomography of the heralded phonon states, which in the form of a state swap from the phononic to photonic domain enables on-demand generation of multiphoton Fock states.

arXiv:2407.19120•Physical Review Research•Sep 23, 2025•2 citations

Collective states of photons and phonons via inter-modal Brillouin scattering

Hashem Zoubi

arXiv:2212.08317•The European Physical Journal D•Sep 1, 2023•2 citations

Multiphoton heralding generates large-amplitude squeezed Schrödinger cat states and parity-selective Fock superpositions from squeezed vacuum via an optical parametric amplifier

Anonymous, Ming-Yan Sun, Xiaoxi Yao

Physical Review A•Sep 2, 2026•0 citations

Frequency entangled W states and quantum frequency translation protocols via forward Brillouin interactions

Andrew Shepherd, Ryan O. Behunin

Complex quantum states of light are not only central to advancing our understanding of quantum mechanics, but are also necessary for a variety of quantum protocols. High-dimensional, or multipartite, quantum states are of specific interest, as they can exhibit unique properties both fundamentally and in application. The synthesis of high-dimensional, entangled photonic states can take the form of various schemes, which result in varying forms of entanglement. Frequency-entanglement is specifically attractive due to compatibility with integrated systems and resistance to decoherence in fiber transportation; however, increasing the dimension of frequency-entangled states requires a system that offers quantum interactions between a large set of distinct frequencies. Here, we show how the phonon-photon interactions of forward Brillouin scattering, which offer access to a ladder of optical resonances permitted by a single mechanical mode, can be used for fast-synthesis of frequency-entangled, single-photon W states. In our proposed system, simultaneous laser pulses of different frequencies dynamically evolve either an injected single photon or a heralded single phonon, generating W states of selected dimension and output frequency. This method enables the synthesis of `perfect' W states by adjusting the pulse amplitudes. In addition, we show how this system can be used for quantum frequency translation.

arXiv:2412.06641•Dec 9, 2024•0 citations

Frequency-entangled W states and quantum frequency translation protocols via forward Brillouin interactions

Andrew Shepherd, Ryan O. Behunin

Complex quantum states of light are not only central to advancing our understanding of quantum mechanics, but are also necessary for a variety of quantum protocols. High-dimensional, or multipartite, quantum states are of specific interest, as they can exhibit unique properties both fundamentally and in application. The synthesis of high-dimensional, entangled photonic states can take the form of various schemes, which result in varying forms of entanglement. Frequency entanglement is specifically attractive due to compatibility with integrated systems and resistance to decoherence in fiber transportation; however, increasing the dimension of frequency-entangled states requires a system that offers quantum interactions between a large set of distinct frequencies. Here, we show how the phonon-photon interactions of forward Brillouin scattering, which offer access to a ladder of optical resonances permitted by a single mechanical mode, can be used for fast synthesis of frequency-entangled, single-photon $W$ states. In our proposed system, simultaneous laser pulses of different frequencies dynamically evolve either an injected single photon or a heralded single phonon, generating $W$ states of selected dimension and output frequency. This method enables the synthesis of ``perfect'' $W$ states by adjusting the pulse amplitudes. In addition, we show how this system can be used for quantum frequency translation.

Physical Review A•Apr 3, 2025•0 citations
Recognized as a potential resource for quantum technologies and a possible test bed for fundamental physics, the control and preparation of nonclassical states of mechanical oscillators have been explored extensively. Within optomechanics, quantum state synthesis can be realized by entangling photonic and phononic degrees of freedom followed by optical detection. Single-photon detection enables one of the most powerful forms of such heralded quantum state preparation, permitting the creation of single-phonon states when applied to conventional cavity optomechanical systems. As the complexity of optomechanical systems increases, single-photon detection may provide heralded access to a larger class of exotic quantum states. Here, we examine the quantum dynamics of optomechanical systems that permit forward Brillouin scattering, where a single-phonon mode mediates transitions between a collection of equally spaced optical resonances. Solving both the Schrodinger equation and the Lindblad master equation for this system, we find that initial states comprised of single photons or weak laser pulses evolve into complex quantum states where the frequency of single-photon states and the phonon occupation number are entangled. Physically, these interactions permit a single photon to scatter to lower frequencies, where phonon excitation occurs for each scattering event. Combining this result with frequency filtering, we show how single-photon detection can herald selected multiphonon Fock states, even in the presence of optical losses. We also present an approach for quantum tomography of the heralded phonon states, which in the form of a state swap from the phononic to photonic domain enables on-demand generation of multiphoton Fock states.
Complex quantum states of light are not only central to advancing our understanding of quantum mechanics, but are also necessary for a variety of quantum protocols. High-dimensional, or multipartite, quantum states are of specific interest, as they can exhibit unique properties both fundamentally and in application. The synthesis of high-dimensional, entangled photonic states can take the form of various schemes, which result in varying forms of entanglement. Frequency-entanglement is specifically attractive due to compatibility with integrated systems and resistance to decoherence in fiber transportation; however, increasing the dimension of frequency-entangled states requires a system that offers quantum interactions between a large set of distinct frequencies. Here, we show how the phonon-photon interactions of forward Brillouin scattering, which offer access to a ladder of optical resonances permitted by a single mechanical mode, can be used for fast-synthesis of frequency-entangled, single-photon W states. In our proposed system, simultaneous laser pulses of different frequencies dynamically evolve either an injected single photon or a heralded single phonon, generating W states of selected dimension and output frequency. This method enables the synthesis of `perfect' W states by adjusting the pulse amplitudes. In addition, we show how this system can be used for quantum frequency translation.
Complex quantum states of light are not only central to advancing our understanding of quantum mechanics, but are also necessary for a variety of quantum protocols. High-dimensional, or multipartite, quantum states are of specific interest, as they can exhibit unique properties both fundamentally and in application. The synthesis of high-dimensional, entangled photonic states can take the form of various schemes, which result in varying forms of entanglement. Frequency entanglement is specifically attractive due to compatibility with integrated systems and resistance to decoherence in fiber transportation; however, increasing the dimension of frequency-entangled states requires a system that offers quantum interactions between a large set of distinct frequencies. Here, we show how the phonon-photon interactions of forward Brillouin scattering, which offer access to a ladder of optical resonances permitted by a single mechanical mode, can be used for fast synthesis of frequency-entangled, single-photon WWW states. In our proposed system, simultaneous laser pulses of different frequencies dynamically evolve either an injected single photon or a heralded single phonon, generating WWW states of selected dimension and output frequency. This method enables the synthesis of ``perfect'' WWW states by adjusting the pulse amplitudes. In addition, we show how this system can be used for quantum frequency translation.