Dissipatively coupled waveguide networks for coherent diffusive photonics

Integrated Source of Path-Entangled Photon Pairs with Efficient Pump Self-Rejection

We present a theoretical proposal for an integrated four-wave mixing source of narrow-band path-entangled photon pairs with efficient spatial pump self-rejection. The scheme is based on correlated loss in a system of waveguides in Kerr nonlinear media. We calculate that this setup gives the possibility for upwards of 100 dB pump rejection, without additional filtering. The effect is reached by driving the symmetric collective mode that is strongly attenuated by an engineered dissipation, while photon pairs are born in the antisymmetric mode. A similar set-up can additionally be realized for the generation of two-photon NOON states, also with pump self-rejection. We discuss the implementation of the scheme by means of the coherent diffusive photonics, and demostrate its feasibility in both glass (such as fused silica-glass and IG2) and planar semiconductor waveguide structures in indium phosphide (InP) and in silicon.

On-chip implementation of the probabilistic quantum optical state comparison amplifier

Propagation losses in transmission media limit the transmission distance of optical signals. In the case where the signal is made up of quantum optical states, conventional deterministic optical amplification schemes cannot be used to increase the transmission distance as the copying of an arbitrary and unknown quantum state is forbidden. One strategy that can offset propagation loss is the use of probabilistic, or non-deterministic, amplification schemes - an example of which is the state comparison amplifier. Here we report a state comparison amplifier implemented in a compact, fiber-coupled femtosecond laser-written waveguide chip as opposed to the large, bulk-optical components of previous designs. This pathfinder on-chip implementation of the quantum amplifier has resulted in several performance improvements: the polarization integrity of the written waveguides has resulted in improved visibility of the amplifier interferometers; the potential of substantially-reduced losses throughout the amplifier configuration; and a more compact and environmentally-stable amplifier which is scalable to more complex networks.

PT symmetry and antisymmetry by anti-Hermitian wave coupling and nonlinear optical interactions

Light propagation in systems with anti-Hermitian coupling, described by a spinor-like wave equation, provides a general route for the observation of antiparity-time (PT) symmetry in optics. Remarkably, under a different definition of parity operator, a PT symmetry can be found as well in such systems. Such symmetries are ubiquitous in nonlinear optical interactions and are exemplified by considering modulation instability in optical fibers and optical parametric amplification.

Conservation of Quantum Correlations in Multimode Systems with U(1) Symmetry

We present a theoretical investigation of the properties of quantum correlation functions in a multimode system. We define a total mth order equal-time correlation function, summed over all modes, which is shown to be conserved if the Hamiltonian possesses U(1) symmetry. It is also conserved in the presence of dissipation, provided the loss rate is the same for all modes of the system. As examples, we demonstrate this conservation using numerical simulations of a coupled cavity system and the Jaynes-Cummings model.