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arXiv:quant-ph/0603064 · Physical Review A

Quantum diffraction and interference of spatially correlated photon pairs and its Fourier-optical analysis

Ryōsuke Shimizu, Keiichi Edamatsu, Tadashi Itoh

Published Jul 5, 2006• 32 citations
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Abstract

We present one- and two-photon diffraction and interference experiments involving parametric down-converted photon pairs. By controlling the divergence of the pump beam in parametric down-conversion, the diffraction-interference pattern produced by an object changes from a quantum (perfectly correlated) case to a classical (uncorrelated) one. The observed diffraction and interference patterns are accurately reproduced by Fourier-optical analysis taking into account the quantum spatial correlation. We show that the relation between the spatial correlation and the object size plays a crucial role in the formation of both one- and two-photon diffraction-interference patterns.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.74.013801

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We present one- and two-photon diffraction and interference experiments involving parametric down-converted photon pairs. By controlling the divergence of the pump beam in parametric down-conversion, the diffraction-interference pattern produced by an object changes from a quantum (perfectly correlated) case to a classical (uncorrelated) one. The observed diffraction and interference patterns are accurately reproduced by Fourier-optical analysis taking into account the quantum spatial correlation. We show that the relation between the spatial correlation and the object size plays a crucial role in the formation of both one- and two-photon diffraction-interference patterns.
We demonstrate one- and two-photon diffraction and interference experiments utilizing parametric down-converted photon pairs (biphotons) and a transmission grating. With two-photon detection, the biphoton exhibits a diffraction-interference pattern equivalent to that of an effective single particle that is associated with half the wavelength of the constituent photons. With one-photon detection, however, no diffraction-interference pattern is observed. We show that these phenomena originate from the spatial quantum correlation between the down-converted photons.
Diffraction-interference patterns of parametric down-converted photons through a transmission grating by both one- and two-photon detection schemes are presented. The measured patterns are explained by the Fourier analysis of the two-photon wave packet, considering the quantum spatial correlation between the constituent photons. Spatial diffraction-interference patterns were recorded by a two-photon detector consisting of two avalanche photodiodes. For comparison, diffraction-interference patterns of Ti:sapphire laser are also observed using the same apparatus (a uncorrelated case).
Summary form only given. We demonstrate a proof-of-principle experiment of quantum lithography utilizing parametric down-converted photons and a transmission grating, and show that the diffraction of a multiphoton state can be also explained by the concept of the photonic de Broglie wave. Pairs of frequency-degenerate photons were collinearly generated by spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) in a 5 mm long KNbO/sub 3/ (KN) crystal pumped by the second harmonic light of a single longitudinal mode Ti:sapphire laser operating at 861.5 nm. The photon pairs were diffracted by a transmission grating (slit width: 125 /spl mu/m, period: 250 /spl mu/m), placed just after the KN crystal. In this geometry, each photon pair passes together through one of the grating slits. By rotating a mirror, we recorded spatial diffraction-interference patterns at a two-photon detector consisting of two avalanche photodiodes. For comparison, we also observed diffraction-interference patterns of chaotic light from a tungsten lamp using the same apparatus.
This dissertation contains scientific research within the realm of quantum optics, which is a branch of physics. An experimental and theoretical study is made of two-photon interference phenomena in various optical systems. Spatially entangled photon pairs are produced via the nonlinear optical process of spontaneous parametric down-conversion. These entangled photons are then passed through different optical systems to study various aspects of two-photon interference. Firstly, an experimental analysis is made of the high-dimensional entanglement that is present in the orbital angular momentum of the photons. Secondly, we present a comprehensive description of two-photon quantum interference behind a double slit. We demonstrate how to control the quantum correlations and present the first observations of complete two-photon diffraction patterns behind a double slit. Finally, we present pioneering experiments on spatially entangled two-photon states that are scattered of random media. We have observed and theoretically analyzed the structure in the random two-photon interference patterns called two-photon speckle patterns. Spatial entanglement gives two-photon speckle a much richer structure than ordinary one-photon speckle. Our experiments also demonstrate a two-photon interference phenomenon that survives averaging over different realizations of disorder. The latter results are closely related to bosonic, fermionic, and anyonic particle exchange symmetries.