Multimode single-pass spatio-temporal squeezing.

We present a single-pass source of broadband multimode squeezed light with potential application in quantum information and quantum metrology. The source is based on a type I parametric down-conversion (PDC) process inside a bulk nonlinear crystal in a non-collinear configuration. The generated squeezed light exhibits a spatio-temporal multimode behavior that is probed using a homodyne measurement with a local oscillator shaped both spatially and temporally. Finally we follow a covariance matrix based approach to reveal the distribution of the squeezing among several independent temporal and spatial modes. This unambiguously validates the multimode feature of our source.

Superresolution Limits from Measurement Crosstalk.

Superresolution techniques based on intensity measurements after a spatial mode decomposition can overcome the precision of diffraction-limited direct imaging. However, realistic measurement devices always introduce finite crosstalk in any such mode decomposition. Here, we show that any nonzero crosstalk leads to a breakdown of superresolution when the number N of detected photons is large. Combining statistical and analytical tools, we obtain the scaling of the precision limits for weak, generic crosstalk from a device-independent model as a function of the crosstalk probability and N. The scaling of the smallest distance that can be distinguished from noise changes from N^{-1/2} for an ideal measurement to N^{-1/4} in the presence of crosstalk.

Reconfigurable Hexapartite Entanglement by Spatially Multiplexed Four-Wave Mixing Processes.

Multipartite entanglement serves as a vital resource for quantum information processing. Generally, its generation requires complex beam splitting processes which limit scalability. A promising trend is to integrate multiple nonlinear processes into a single device via frequency or time multiplexing. The generated states in these schemes are useful for quantum computation. However, they are confined in one or two beams and hard to be spatially separated for applications in quantum communication. Here, we experimentally demonstrate a scheme to generate spatially separated hexapartite entangled states by means of spatially multiplexing seven concurrent four-wave mixing processes. In addition, we show that the entanglement structure characterized by subsystem entanglement distribution can be modified by appropriately shaping the pump characteristics. Such reconfigurability of the entanglement structure gives the possibility to target a desired multipartite entangled state for a specific quantum communication protocol. Our results here provide a new platform for generating large scale spatially separated reconfigurable multipartite entangled beams.

Modal analysis for noise characterization and propagation in a femtosecond oscillator.

We study noise propagation dynamics in a femtosecond oscillator by injecting external noise on the pump intensity. We utilize a spectrally resolved homodyne detection technique that enables simultaneous measurement of amplitude and phase quadrature noises of different spectral bands of the oscillator. We perform a modal analysis of the oscillator noise in which each mode corresponds to a particular temporal/spectral shape of the pulsed light. We compare this modal approach with the conventional noise detection methods and find the superiority of our method, in particular unveiling a complete physical picture of noise distribution in the femtosecond oscillator.

Near-infrared to visible upconversion imaging using a broadband pump laser.

We present an upconversion imaging experiment from the near-infrared to the visible spectrum. Using a dedicated broadband pump laser to increase the number of resolved elements converted in the image we obtain up to 56x64 spatial elements with a 2.7 nm wide pump spectrum, more than 10 times the number of elements accessible with a narrowband laser. Results in terms of field of view, resolution and conversion efficiency are in good agreement with simulations. The computed sensitivity of our experiment favorably compares with direct InGaAs camera detection.

Toward a compact fibered squeezing parametric source.

In this work, we investigate three different compact fibered systems generating vacuum squeezing that involve optical cavities limited by the end surface of a fiber and by a curved mirror and containing a thin parametric crystal. These systems have the advantage to couple squeezed states directly to a fiber, allowing the user to benefit from the flexibility of fibers in the use of squeezing. Three types of fibers are investigated: standard single-mode fibers, photonic-crystal large-mode-area single-mode fibers, and short multimode fibers taped to a single-mode fiber. The observed squeezing is modest (-0.56 dB, -0.9 dB, -1 dB), but these experiments open the way for miniaturized squeezing devices that could be a very interesting advantage in scaling up quantum systems for quantum processing, opening new perspectives in the domain of integrated quantum optics.

High sensitivity narrowband wavelength mid-infrared detection at room temperature.

We report an upconversion experiment using an orientation-patterned gallium arsenide (OP-GaAs) crystal to detect small mid-infrared signals on an InGaAs avalanche photodiode. A conversion efficiency up to 20% with a nonpolarized pulsed fiber pump is demonstrated. Our uncooled setup is favorably compared in terms of noise equivalent power, dynamic range, and response time to cryogenically cooled HgCdTe detectors. Its dependence on the polarization of both the pump and signal beams is also investigated.

Entanglement and Wigner Function Negativity of Multimode Non-Gaussian States.

Non-Gaussian operations are essential to exploit the quantum advantages in optical continuous variable quantum information protocols. We focus on mode-selective photon addition and subtraction as experimentally promising processes to create multimode non-Gaussian states. Our approach is based on correlation functions, as is common in quantum statistical mechanics and condensed matter physics, mixed with quantum optics tools. We formulate an analytical expression of the Wigner function after the subtraction or addition of a single photon, for arbitrarily many modes. It is used to demonstrate entanglement properties specific to non-Gaussian states and also leads to a practical and elegant condition for Wigner function negativity. Finally, we analyze the potential of photon addition and subtraction for an experimentally generated multimode Gaussian state.

Quantum uncertainty in the beam width of spatial optical modes.

We theoretically investigate the quantum uncertainty in the beam width of transverse optical modes and, for this purpose, define a corresponding quantum operator. Single mode states are studied as well as multimode states with small quantum noise. General relations are derived, and specific examples of different modes and quantum states are examined. For the multimode case, we show that the quantum uncertainty in the beam width can be completely attributed to the amplitude quadrature uncertainty of one specific mode, which is uniquely determined by the field under investigation. This discovery provides us with a strategy for the reduction of the beam width noise by an appropriate choice of the quantum state.

Analysis and filtering of phase noise in an optical frequency comb at the quantum limit to improve timing measurements.

It is shown that the sensitivity of a highly sensitive homodyne timing measurement scheme with femtosecond (fs) lasers [Phys. Rev. Lett.101, 123601 (2008).] is limited by carrier-envelope-phase (CEO) noise. We describe the use of a broadband passive cavity to analyze the phase noise of a Ti:Sapphire oscillator relative to the standard quantum limit. This cavity also filters the lowest levels of classical noise at sidebands above 100 kHz detection frequency. Leading to quantum-limited CEO-phase noise at millisecond time scales, it can improve the sensitivity of the homodyne pulse timing measurement by 10 dB.