Generation of Four-Photon Cluster State with Coherent Light via Cross-Kerr Nonlinearity

Abstract

We propose two schemes for preparing four-photon cluster state through cross-Kerr nonlinearity. Two coherent fields interact when they enter a nonlinear Kerr medium. If the interaction time is chosen appropriately in each Kerr medium, four-photon cluster state can be generated based on the results of two homodyne detectors in the first scheme. These schemes only use Kerr medium and homodyne measurements on coherent light fields, which can be efficiently made in quantum optical laboratories. In addition, weak cross-Kerr nonlinearity is sufficient. All of the properties make these schemes feasible in experiments.