Quantum optical arbitrary waveform manipulation and measurement in real time

Abstract

We describe a technique for dynamic quantum optical arbitrary-waveform generation and manipulation, which is capable of mode selectively operating on quantum signals without inducing significant loss or decoherence. It is built upon combining the developed tools of quantum frequency conversion and optical arbitrary waveform generation. Considering realistic parameters, we propose and analyze applications such as programmable reshaping of picosecond-scale temporal modes, selective frequency conversion of any one or superposition of those modes, and mode-resolved photon counting. We also report on experimental progress to distinguish two overlapping, orthogonal temporal modes, demonstrating over 8 dB extinction between picosecond-scale time-frequency modes, which agrees well with our theory. Our theoretical and experimental progress, as a whole, points to an enabling optical technique for various applications such as ultradense quantum coding, unity-efficiency cavity-atom quantum memories, and high-speed quantum computing.

Photon Temporal Modes: A Complete Framework for Quantum Information Science

“…[46][47][48], which forego group-velocity matching. Although potentially simpler from an experimental point of view, these approaches cannot generally reach high selectivities as defined above [43].…”

Quantum Parametric Mode Sorting: Beating the Time-Frequency Filtering

“…Under the undepleted pump approximation, the waveguide’s input-output relation can be expressed using a Green’s function 6, 25 . Then, by modal decomposition, the normal modes and their eigenvalues of the Green’s function can be calculated, with the eigenvalues representing the selection efficiency of each mode; see ref.…”

Tailoring nonlinear processes for quantum optics with pulsed temporal-mode encodings

“…This quantifies how well the QPG isolates a single mode from a mixture irrespective of incomplete conversion. Additionally, oftentimes the suppression or extinction ratio for mode j is reported [99,100],…”

“…A TM-encoded single photon or weak coherent state is prepared through PDC or through shaping a spectrally broad input pulse and attenuating with a neutral density (ND) filter. A strong QPG pump is prepared using similar pulse shaping methods, or through electro-optic modulation (EOM) of a strong cw laser to produce a frequency comb which is modulated in a tooth-by-tooth fashion by a pulse shaper [100]. The two are mixed in a group-velocity-matched χ (2) waveguide, and the upconverted signal in the register mode is measured.…”