Clément Jacquard

Tomography of a Mode-Tunable Coherent Single-Photon Subtractor

Single-photon subtracting operation plays important roles in photonic quantum information processing. For example, it enables distillation of entanglement, noiseless amplification of a quantum state, and enhancement of measurement precision. In particular, the non-Gaussian characteristic of the operation is essential for genuine speed-up and universality of continuous-variable quantum computing. Until now, implementation of single-photon subtraction has been limited on a single-mode or a two-mode quantum state, but recently, extension to multiple modes attracts attention [1, 2] in accordance with the availability of multimode quantum states [3].

Multimode theory of single-photon subtraction

We develop a general theory to describe the manipulation of a multimode quantum state of light via the subtraction of a single photon. The theory is applicable for various types of subtraction schemes independent of the physical nature of the light modes, their number or the embedded quantum states. We show that different subtraction schemes can be described in a unified approach through the characterization of their intrinsic subtraction modes. The conditional state of the multimode quantum light after the photon subtraction is defined by the number of subtraction modes and their matching with the light modes. We propose the manipulation of light states by controlling the subtraction modes. Performing a photon subtraction on a multimode quantum resource is promising for the implementation of a number of quantum information protocols in all-optical, multiplexed and scalable way.

A single-photon subtractor for multimode quantum states (Conference Presentation)

The nature of a quantum network, in particular in the continuous variable regime, is governed not only by the light quantum state but also by the measurement process. It can then be chosen after the light source has been generated. Multimode entanglement is not anymore an intrinsic property of the source but a complex interplay between source, measurement and eventually post processing. This new avenue paves the way for adaptive and scalable quantum information processing. However, to reach this ambitious goal, multimode degaussification has to be implemented. Single-photon subtraction and addition have proved to be such key operations, but are usually performed with linear optics elements on single-mode resources. We present a device able to perform mode dependant non Gaussian operation on a spectrally multimode squeezed vacuum states. Sum frequency generation between the state and a bright control beam whose spectrum has been engineered through ultrafast pulse-shaping is performed. The detection of a single converted photon heralds the success of the operation. The resulting multimode quantum state is analysed with standard homodyne detection whose local oscillator spectrum is independently engineered. The device can be characterized through quantum process tomography using weak multimode coherent states as inputs. Its single-mode character can be quantified and its inherent subtraction modes can be measured. The ability to simultaneously control the state engineering and its detection ensures both flexibility and scalability in the production of highly entangled non-Gaussian quantum states.