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Active temporal multiplexing of indistinguishable heralded single photons

Author

Listed:
  • C. Xiong

    (Centre for Ultrahigh bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems (CUDOS), Institute of Photonics and Optical Science (IPOS), School of Physics, University of Sydney)

  • X. Zhang

    (Centre for Ultrahigh bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems (CUDOS), Institute of Photonics and Optical Science (IPOS), School of Physics, University of Sydney)

  • Z. Liu

    (School of Electrical and Information Engineering, University of Sydney
    School of Information Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology)

  • M. J. Collins

    (Centre for Ultrahigh bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems (CUDOS), Institute of Photonics and Optical Science (IPOS), School of Physics, University of Sydney)

  • A. Mahendra

    (Centre for Ultrahigh bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems (CUDOS), Institute of Photonics and Optical Science (IPOS), School of Physics, University of Sydney
    School of Electrical and Information Engineering, University of Sydney)

  • L. G. Helt

    (CUDOS and MQ Photonics Research Centre, Macquarie University)

  • M. J. Steel

    (CUDOS and MQ Photonics Research Centre, Macquarie University)

  • D. -Y. Choi

    (CUDOS, Laser Physics Centre, Australian National University)

  • C. J. Chae

    (University of Melbourne)

  • P. H. W. Leong

    (School of Electrical and Information Engineering, University of Sydney)

  • B. J. Eggleton

    (Centre for Ultrahigh bandwidth Devices for Optical Systems (CUDOS), Institute of Photonics and Optical Science (IPOS), School of Physics, University of Sydney)

Abstract

It is a fundamental challenge in quantum optics to deterministically generate indistinguishable single photons through non-deterministic nonlinear optical processes, due to the intrinsic coupling of single- and multi-photon-generation probabilities in these processes. Actively multiplexing photons generated in many temporal modes can decouple these probabilities, but key issues are to minimize resource requirements to allow scalability, and to ensure indistinguishability of the generated photons. Here we demonstrate the multiplexing of photons from four temporal modes solely using fibre-integrated optics and off-the-shelf electronic components. We show a 100% enhancement to the single-photon output probability without introducing additional multi-photon noise. Photon indistinguishability is confirmed by a fourfold Hong–Ou–Mandel quantum interference with a 91±16% visibility after subtracting multi-photon noise due to high pump power. Our demonstration paves the way for scalable multiplexing of many non-deterministic photon sources to a single near-deterministic source, which will be of benefit to future quantum photonic technologies.

Suggested Citation

  • C. Xiong & X. Zhang & Z. Liu & M. J. Collins & A. Mahendra & L. G. Helt & M. J. Steel & D. -Y. Choi & C. J. Chae & P. H. W. Leong & B. J. Eggleton, 2016. "Active temporal multiplexing of indistinguishable heralded single photons," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-6, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms10853
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10853
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