Spatial Quantum Correlations Research Articles

High-sensitivity imaging with multi-mode twin beams

Twin entangled beams produced by single-pass parametric down-conversion (PDC) offer the opportunity to detect weak amount of absorption with an improved sensitivity with respect to standard techniques which make use of classical light sources. We propose a differential measurement scheme which exploits the spatial quantum correlation of type-II PDC to image a weak amplitude object with a sensitivity beyond the standard quantum limit imposed by shot noise. By applying a quantitative numerical model to a specific PDC system (a type-II beta-barium borate crystal), we are able to identify conditions in parameter space suitable for a substantial enhancement of the imaging sensitivity, and we investigate the robustness of this enhancement against experimental imperfections.

Tools for Multimode Quantum Information: Modulation, Detection, and Spatial Quantum Correlations

We present the key elements required for continuous variable parallel quantum information protocols based on spatial multimode quantum correlations. We describe techniques for encoding, combining and detecting spatial quantum information with high efficiency in the individual transverse modes. Until now, the missing feature for the implementation of such protocols was the generation of squeezing in higher order transverse Hermite-Gauss modes. We experimentally demonstrate squeezing in selective modes by fine-tuning the phase matching condition of the nonlinear chi(2) material and the cavity resonance condition of an optical parametric amplifier. Combined, these results open the way to practical multimode optical quantum information systems.

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

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.

Quantum correlations induced by multiple scattering of quadrature squeezed light

Propagating quadrature squeezed light through a multiple scattering random medium is found to induce pronounced spatial quantum correlations that have no classical analogue. The correlations are revealed in the number of photons transported through the sample that can be measured from the intensity fluctuations of the total transmission or reflection. In contrast, no pronounced spatial quantum correlations appear in the quadrature amplitudes where excess noise above the shot noise level is found.

Spatial Quantum Correlations in Multiple Scattered Light

We predict a new spatial quantum correlation in light propagating through a multiple scattering random medium. The correlation depends on the quantum state of the light illuminating the medium, is infinite in range, and dominates over classical mesoscopic intensity correlations. The spatial quantum correlation is revealed in the quantum fluctuations of the total transmission or reflection through the sample and should be readily observable experimentally.

Moiré fringe patterns in spatial quantum correlations of twin photons

We observed moir\'e fringes in spatial quantum correlations between twin photons generated by parametric down-conversion. Spatially periodic structures were nonlocally superposed giving rise to beat frequencies typical of moir\'e patterns. This result brings interesting perspectives regarding metrological applications of such a quantum optical setup.

Quantum spatial correlations in high-gain parametric down-conversion measured by means of a CCD camera

We consider travelling-wave parametric down-conversion in the high-gain regime and present the experimental demonstration of the quantum character of the spatial fluctuations in the system. In addition to showing the presence of sub-shot noise fluctuations in the intensity difference, we demonstrate that the peak value of the normalized spatial correlations between signal and idler lies well above the line marking the boundary between the classical and the quantum domain. This effect is equivalent to the apparent violation of the Cauchy–Schwartz inequality, predicted by some of us years ago, which represents a spatial analogue of photon antibunching in time. Finally, we analyse numerically the transition from the quantum to the classical regime when the gain is increased and we emphasize the role of the inaccuracy in the determination of the symmetry centre of the signal–idler pattern in the far-field plane.

Detection of Sub-Shot-Noise Spatial Correlation in High-Gain Parametric Down Conversion

Using a 1 GW, 1 ps pump laser pulse in high-gain parametric down conversion allows us to detect sub-shot-noise spatial quantum correlation with up to 100 photoelectrons per mode by means of a high efficiency charge coupled device. The statistics is performed in single shot over independent spatial replica of the system. Evident quantum correlations were observed between symmetrical signal and idler spatial areas in the far field. In accordance with the predictions of numerical calculations, the observed transition from the quantum to the classical regime is interpreted as a consequence of the narrowing of the down-converted beams in the very high-gain regime.

Simultaneous near-field and far-field spatial quantum correlations in the high-gain regime of parametric down-conversion

We study the spatial correlations of quantum fluctuations that can be observed in multi-mode spontaneous parametric down-conversion in the regime of high gain. A stochastic model has been solved numerically to obtain quantitative results beyond the stationary plane-wave pump approximation. The pulsed shape of the pump beam and other features of the system, such as spatial walk-off and diffraction are taken into account. Their effect on the spatial quantum correlations predicted by the plane-wave pump theory is investigated, both for near field and far field measurements, in a type I and in a type II phase-matching configuration.

Spatial quantum correlations in the fluorescence of traveling-wave second-harmonic generation

We investigate theoretically the spatial quantum correlations of the light produced by spontaneous emission in type-I second-harmonic generation in the traveling-wave configuration. It is first shown that spontaneous emission occurs at both fundamental and second-harmonic frequency. Considering the quantum fluctuations of the intensities collected in symmetrical parts of the far-field plane, nonclassical correlations below the shot noise are predicted not only at fundamental frequency, but also at second-harmonic frequency. The latter cannot be traced back to any twin-photon emission mechanism, but are generated by a secondary process acting on twin photons. This mechanism also creates correlations between fundamental and second-harmonic field, at a given transverse wave number, and at opposite wave numbers. The analysis of a simplified few-mode model, on a quantum level, provides a good qualitative understanding of these correlations.

Optical experiments beyond the quantum limit: Squeezing, entanglement, and teleportation

Results of experiments recently performed are reported, in which two optical parametric amplifiers were set up to generate two independently quadrature squeezed continuous wave laser beams. The transformation of quadrature squeezed states into polarization squeezed states and into states with spatial quantum correlations is demonstrated. By utilizing two squeezed laser beams, a polarization squeezed state exhibiting three simultaneously squeezed Stokes operator variances was generated. Continuous variable polarization entanglement was generated and the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox was observed. A pair of Stokes operators satisfied both the inseparability criterion and the conditional variance criterion. Values of 0.49 and 0.77, respectively, were observed, with entanglement requiring values below unity. The inseparability measure of the observed quadrature entanglement was 0.44. This value is sufficient for a demonstration of quantum teleportation, which is the next experimental goal of the authors.

Quantum diffraction and interference of spatially correlated photon pairs generated by spontaneous parametric down-conversion

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.

Investigation of spatial Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen aspects in the degenerate optical parametric oscillator

We present a study of quantum spatial correlations in the transverse cross-section of the beam emitted by a degenerate optical parametric oscillator with spherical mirrors and finite-size pump. We show that these correlations are at the origin of efficient quantum noise reduction in proper combinations of field quadratures detected over symmetrical regions in the beam transverse section; moreover they offer the possibility of investigating EPR aspects for continuous variables. We discuss different regimes and show that EPR correlations arise over a broad range of values for the frequency spacing among adjacent transverse modes and for realistic values of the waist of the pump beam.

Spatial pump-meter quantum correlations in a vectorial Kerr-medium model

We consider a vectorial Kerr-medium model including transverse spatial effects. We analyze cases in which, immediately above the threshold of the spatial instability, the homogeneous pump wave gives rise to two tilted waves corresponding to a stripe pattern in the near field. We analyze both the self-focusing and the selfdefocusing case and we point out the existence of anti-correlations between the quantum fluctuations of the intensity of the pump and the sum of the intensities of the two tilted waves creating the transverse pattern in the near field. We also evaluate the efficiency of this scheme as a quantum nondemolition~QND! scheme which uses the tilted waves as a ‘‘meter’’ to measure the intensity fluctuations of the pump. Our results show the posibility of a QND measurement in the self-defocusing case. In this case, and for a linearly polarized pump, the output pump beam ~uniform in the transverse plane! and the pattern have orthogonal polarization and could be easily separated experimentally. @S1050-2947~99!06402-1#

Quantum spatial correlations in the optical parametric oscillator with spherical mirrors.

Quantum spatial correlations in the optical parametric oscillator with spherical mirrors.