Levitons for electron quantum optics

Abstract

AbstractSingle‐electron sources enable electron quantum optics experiments where single electrons emitted in a ballistic electronic interferometer play the role of a single photon emitted in an optical medium in quantum optics. A qualitative step has been made with the recent generation of single‐charge levitons obtained by applying Lorentzian voltage pulses on the contact of the quantum conductor. Simple to realize and operate, the source emits electrons in the form of striking minimal excitation states called levitons. We review the striking properties of levitons and their possible applications in quantum physics to electron interferometry and entanglement.Schematic generation of time‐resolved single charges called levitons using Lorentzian voltage pulses applied on a contact. A quantum point contact is used to partition the levitons for further analysis. Injecting levitons on opposite contacts with a delay enables us to probe electronic like Hong–Ou–Mandel correlations.