Quantum interferometry with distorted wave packets

Abstract

We herein study the rate of coincidences in a Hong–Ou–Mandel interferometer exit whose arms have been supplemented by two optical cavities which reflect the photons generated by parametric down conversion. The fourth-order correlation function at the beam-splitter exit is calculated. In the regime where the coherence length of the photons is larger than the cavities lengths, photon coalescence and anti-coalescence interferences are observed. In particular, complete anti-coalescence between photons generated by parametric down conversion Type I is evidenced. The photons reshaping as they are reflected by the cavities are also studied and path diagrams for the indistinguishable processes that lead to quantum interference are presented.

Keywords:

• Hong–Ou–Mandel interferometer
• parametric down conversion
• Fabry–Perot cavities

Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge the financial support by the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (Fapemig), INCT, and Fundación Andes.

Notes

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq); Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (Fapemig); INCT; Fundación Andes.