Open AccessExperimental observation of three-photon interference between a two-photon state and a weak coherent state on a beam splitter
Author(s) -
Tingyu Li,
Saburo Sakurai,
Katsuyuki Kasai,
Lirong Wang,
Masayoshi Watanabe,
Yun Zhang
Publication year - 2018
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.26.020442
Subject(s) - physics , photon , beam splitter , spontaneous parametric down conversion , coherent states , interference (communication) , dark state , amplitude , optics , quantum optics , photon antibunching , quantum entanglement , quantum mechanics , atomic physics , quantum , laser , channel (broadcasting) , electrical engineering , engineering
We experimentally demonstrated a three-photon interference on a beam splitter between a weak coherent state and a two-photon state produced by a spontaneous parametric down conversion. It indicates that a combined three-photon probability amplitude, which is formed by the two-photon state and one-photon from the coherent state, can be used to interfere with another three-photon probability amplitude from the coherent state. The observed three-photon coincidence rate showed that the interference depended on not only the relative phase between the two interference field but also the amplitude of the weak coherent state. This may introduce another free parameter for preparing quantum state, such as high N00N state, with quantum interference.