Open AccessRemote preparation of complex spatial states of single photons and verification by two-photon coincidence experiment
Author(s) -
Yoonshik Kang,
Kiyoung Cho,
Jaewoo Noh,
Dashiell L. P. Vitullo,
Cody Leary,
Michael G. Raymer
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.18.001217
Subject(s) - photon , physics , coincidence , optics , wigner distribution function , spontaneous parametric down conversion , parametric statistics , signal (programming language) , quantum mechanics , computer science , mathematics , medicine , statistics , alternative medicine , pathology , quantum entanglement , quantum , programming language
We propose and provide experimental evidence in support of a theory for the remote preparation of a complex spatial state of a single photon. An entangled two-photon source was obtained by spontaneous parametric down-conversion, and a double slit was placed in the path of the signal photon as a scattering object. The signal photon was detected after proper spatial filtering so that the idler photon was prepared in the corresponding single-photon state. By using a two-photon coincidence measurement, we obtained the Radon transform, at several longitudinal distances, of the single-photon Wigner distribution function modified by the double slit. The experimental results are consistent with the idler photon being in a pure state. An inverse Radon transformation can, in principle, be applied to the measured data to reconstruct the modified single-photon Wigner function, which is a complete representation of the amplitude and phase structure of the scattering object.