Realization of the single photon Talbot effect with a spatial light modulator

Abstract

We demonstrate the quantum Talbot effect using a beam of single photons produced by parametric down conversion. In contrast to the previous works, we use a programmable spatial light modulator to behave as a diffraction grating. Thus, the investigation of the Talbot diffraction patterns under the variation of grating structure can be easily performed. The influence of spectral bandwidth of the down-converted photons on the diffraction pattern is also investigated. A theoretical model based on the wave nature of photons is presented to explain the Talbot diffraction patterns under varying conditions. The measured diffraction patterns are in good agreement with the theoretical prediction. We are convinced that our study improves the understanding of the quantum Talbot effect.

Practical Talbot wavemeter

“…Moreover, rescaled Talbot self-images can be observed in fractions of the Talbot length [2,3]. The Talbot phenomenon has been exploited in a wide range of applications from optical sensors [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] to matter-wave optics [13][14][15][16].…”

Experimental observation of polarization-dependent optical vortex beams

“…The coupling effect can be disappeared when the vortex beam is aligned to the center of the Gaussian beam of laser. Future experiments shall explore this observation in quantum experiments, such as single photon experiments [26,27]. The combination of high throughput beam and high efficiency single photon detection is needed for high-contrast interference patterns.…”

Talbot effect of orbital angular momentum lattices with single photons

“…In accordance with Fresnel diffraction [2], replicas of periodic transverse intensity profile reappear after a specific propagation distance known as the Talbot length. The Talbot Effect has been demonstrated in numerous areas of research involving linear and nonlinear optical waves [3][4][5], single photons [6,7], x-rays [8], matter-waves [9][10][11][12], exciton polaritons [13], and Bose-Einstein condensates [14]. The Talbot Effect has a diverse array of applications in optical metrology [15], imaging processing [16], and lithography [17][18][19], with potential in data transmission [20].…”