Approaching Maximal Precision of Hong-Ou-Mandel Interferometry with Nonperfect Visibility.

In quantum mechanics, the precision achieved in parameter estimation using a quantum state as a probe is determined by the measurement strategy employed. The quantum limit of precision is bounded by a value set by the state and its dynamics. Theoretical results have revealed that in interference measurements with two possible outcomes, this limit can be reached under ideal conditions of perfect visibility and zero losses. However, in practice, these conditions cannot be achieved, so precision never reaches the quantum limit. But how do experimental setups approach precision limits under realistic circumstances? In this Letter, we provide a model for precision limits in two-photon Hong-Ou-Mandel interferometry using coincidence statistics for nonperfect visibility and temporally unresolved measurements. We show that the scaling of precision with visibility depends on the effective area in time-frequency phase space occupied by the state used as a probe, and we find that an optimal scaling exists. We demonstrate our results experimentally for different states in a setup where the visibility can be controlled and reaches up to 99.5%. In the optimal scenario, a ratio of 0.97 is observed between the experimental precision and the quantum limit, establishing a new benchmark in the field.

High-frequency nano-optomechanical disk resonators in liquids.

Nano- and micromechanical resonators are the subject of research that aims to develop ultrasensitive mass sensors for spectrometry, chemical analysis and biomedical diagnosis. Unfortunately, their merits generally diminish in liquids because of an increased dissipation. The development of faster and lighter miniaturized devices would enable improved performances, provided the dissipation was controlled and novel techniques were available to drive and readout their minute displacement. Here we report a nano-optomechanical approach to this problem using miniature semiconductor disks. These devices combine a mechanical motion at high frequencies (gigahertz and above) with an ultralow mass (picograms) and a moderate dissipation in liquids. We show that high-sensitivity optical measurements allow their Brownian vibrations to be resolved directly, even in the most-dissipative liquids. We investigate their interaction with liquids of arbitrary properties, and analyse measurements in light of new models. Nano-optomechanical disks emerge as probes of rheological information of unprecedented sensitivity and speed, which opens up applications in sensing and fundamental science.

AlGaAs guided-wave second-harmonic generation at 2.23 µm from a quantum cascade laser.

We demonstrate the frequency doubling of a quantum cascade laser in a multilayered, partially oxidized GaAs/AlOx waveguide. Using the waveguide width to fulfill the phase-matching condition, the second harmonic is generated in the wavelength range between 2.2 and 2.4 µm, where not many semiconductor sources are commercially available to date. We discuss the impact of a few fabrication and experimental parameters on the conversion efficiency, an essential step toward the improvement and practical implementation of this proof-of-principle semiconductor microsystem.

Second-harmonic generation in AlGaAs microdisks in the telecom range.

We report on second-harmonic generation in whispering-gallery-mode AlGaAs microcavities suspended on a GaAs pedestal. Frequency doubling of a 1.58 µm pump is observed with 7×10(-4) W(-1) conversion efficiency. This device can be integrated in a monolithic photonic chip for classical and quantum applications in the telecom band.

Direct measurement of the biphoton Wigner function through two-photon interference.

The Hong-Ou-Mandel (HOM) experiment was a benchmark in quantum optics, evidencing the non-classical nature of photon pairs, later generalized to quantum systems with either bosonic or fermionic statistics. We show that a simple modification in the well-known and widely used HOM experiment provides the direct measurement of the Wigner function. We apply our results to one of the most reliable quantum systems, consisting of biphotons generated by parametric down conversion. A consequence of our results is that a negative value of the Wigner function is a sufficient condition for non-gaussian entanglement between two photons. In the general case, the Wigner function provides all the required information to infer entanglement using well known necessary and sufficient criteria. The present work offers a new vision of the HOM experiment that further develops its possibilities to realize fundamental tests of quantum mechanics using simple optical set-ups.

Tunable quantum dot parametric source.

We report on the modeling of an electrically pumped nonlinear source for spontaneous parametric down-conversion in an AlGaAs single-sided Bragg waveguide. Laser emission from InAs quantum dots embedded in the waveguide core is designed to excite a Bragg pump mode at 950 nm. This mode is phase matched with two cross-polarized total-internal-reflection fundamental signal and idler modes around 1900 nm. Besides numerically evaluating the source efficiency, we discuss the crucial role played by the quantum dots in the practical implementation of the phase-matching condition along with the tuning capabilities of this promising active device.

Direct Bell states generation on a III-V semiconductor chip at room temperature.

We demonstrate the direct generation of polarization-entangled photon pairs at room temperature and telecom wavelength in an AlGaAs semiconductor waveguide. The source is based on spontaneous parametric down-conversion with a counterpropagating phase-matching scheme. The quality of the two-photon state is assessed by the reconstruction of the density matrix giving a raw fidelity to a Bell state of 0.83; a theoretical model, taking into account the experimental parameters, provides ways to understand and control the amount of entanglement. Its compatibility with electrical injection, together with the high versatility of the generated two-photon state, make this source an attractive candidate for completely integrated quantum photonics devices.

Tuning of a nonlinear THz emitter.

We numerically study a passive THz source based on difference frequency generation between modes sustained by cylindrical AlGaAs microcavities. We show that ring-like structures are advantageous in that they provide additional degrees of freedom for tuning the nonlinear process and for maximizing the nonlinear overlap integral and conversion efficiency.

Large second-harmonic generation at 1.55 µmin oxidized AlGaAs waveguides.

We report on CW second-harmonic generation in selectively oxidized AlGaAs multilayer waveguides. Frequency doubling of a 1.55 µm pump is observed with 2.8% W(-1) conversion efficiency and a maximum second-harmonic power around 0.3 mW. This is the strongest second-harmonic generation ever reported in semiconductor waveguides and an encouraging result toward integrated spontaneous parametric downconversion in the telecom range.

Two-photon interference with a semiconductor integrated source at room temperature.

We experimentally demonstrate an integrated semiconductor ridge microcavity source of counterpropagating twin photons at room temperature in the telecom range. Based on type II parametric down conversion with a counterpropagating phase-matching, pump photons generate photon pairs with an efficiency of about 10(-11) and a spectral linewidth of 0.3 nm for a 1 mm long sample. The indistiguishability of the photons of the pair is measured via a Hong-Ou-Mandel two-photon interference experiment showing a visibility of 85 %. This work opens a route towards new guided-wave semiconductor quantum devices.

Semiconductor waveguide source of counterpropagating twin photons.

We experimentally demonstrate an integrated semiconductor source of counterpropagating twin photons in the telecom range. A pump beam impinging on top of an AlGaAs waveguide generates parametrically two counterpropagating, orthogonally polarized signal/idler guided modes. A 2 mm long waveguide emits at room temperature one average photon pair per pump pulse, with a spectral linewidth of 0.15 nm. The twin character of the emitted photons is ascertained through a time-correlation measurement. This work opens a route towards new guided-wave semiconductor quantum devices.

Tailoring the profile and interactions of optical localized structures.

We experimentally demonstrate the broad tunability of the main features of optical localized structures (LS's) in a nonlinear interferometer. By discussing how a single LS depends on the system spatial frequency bandwidth, we show that a modification of its tail leads to the possibility of tuning the interactions between LS pairs, and thus the equilibrium distances at which LS bound states form. This is in agreement with a general theoretical model describing weak interactions of LS in nonlinear dissipative systems.