Giulia Ferrini

Full characterization of a highly multimode entangled state embedded in an optical frequency comb using pulse shaping

We present a detailed analysis of the multimode quantum state embedded in an optical frequency comb generated by a Synchronously Pumped Optical Parametric Oscillator (SPOPO). The full covariance matrix of the state is obtained with homodyne detection where the local oscillator is spectrally controlled with pulse shaping techniques. The resulting matrix reveals genuine multipartite entanglement. Additionally, the beam is comprised of several independent eigenmodes that correspond to specific pulse shapes. The experimental data is confirmed with numerical simulations. Finally, the potential to create continuous-variable cluster states from the quantum comb is analyzed. Multiple cluster states are shown to be simultaneously embedded in the SPOPO state, and these states can be revealed by a suitable basis change applied to the measured covariance matrix.

Quantum-network generation based on four-wave mixing

We present a scheme to realize versatile quantum networks by cascading several four-wave mixing (FWM) processes in warm rubidium vapors. FWM is an efficient

Multimode entanglement in reconfigurable graph states using optical frequency combs

{\ensuremath{\chi}}^{(3)}

Symplectic approach to the amplification process in a nonlinear fiber: role of signal-idler correlations and application to loss management

nonlinear process, already used as a resource for multimode quantum state generation and which has been proved to be a promising candidate for applications to quantum information processing. We analyze theoretically the multimode output of cascaded FWM systems, derive its independent squeezed modes, and show how, with phase controlled homodyne detection and digital postprocessing, they can be turned into a versatile source of continuous variable cluster states.

Optimal control of quantum superpositions in a bosonic Josephson junction

Multimode entanglement is an essential resource for quantum information processing and quantum metrology. However, multimode entangled states are generally constructed by targeting a specific graph configuration. This yields to a fixed experimental setup that therefore exhibits reduced versatility and scalability. Here we demonstrate an optical on-demand, reconfigurable multimode entangled state, using an intrinsically multimode quantum resource and a homodyne detection apparatus. Without altering either the initial squeezing source or experimental architecture, we realize the construction of thirteen cluster states of various sizes and connectivities as well as the implementation of a secret sharing protocol. In particular, this system enables the interrogation of quantum correlations and fluctuations for any multimode Gaussian state. This initiates an avenue for implementing on-demand quantum information processing by only adapting the measurement process and not the experimental layout.

Compact Gaussian quantum computation by multi-pixel homodyne detection

We analyze the amplification processes occurring in a nonlinear fiber, either driven with one or two pumps. After determining the solution for the signal and idler fields resulting from these amplification processes, we analyze the physical transformations that these fields undergo. To this aim, we use a Bloch-Messiah decomposition for the symplectic transformation governing the fields evolution. Although conceptually equivalent to other works in this area [McKinstrie and Karlsson, Opt. Expr. 21, 1374 (2013)], this analysis is intended to be particularly simple, gathering results spread in the literature, which is useful for guiding practical implementations. Furthermore, we present a study of the correlations of the signal-idler fields at the amplifier output. We show that these fields are correlated, study their correlations as a function of the pump power, and stress the impact of these correlations on the amplifier noise figure. Finally, we address the effect of losses. We determine whether it is advantageous to consider a link consisting in an amplifying non-linear fiber, followed by a standard fiber based lossy transmission line, or whether the two elements should be reversed, by comparing the respective noise figures.

Polynomial approximation of non-Gaussian unitaries by counting one photon at a time

We show how to optimally control the creation of quantum superpositions in a bosonic Josephson junction within the two-site Bose-Hubbard-model framework. Both geometric and purely numerical optimal-control approaches are used, the former providing a generalization of the proposal of Micheli et al. [Phys. Rev. A 67, 013607 (2003)]. While this method is shown not to lead to significant improvements in terms of time of formation and fidelity of the superposition, a numerical optimal-control approach appears more promising, as it allows creation of an almost perfect superposition, within a time short compared to other existing protocols. We analyze the robustness of the optimal solution against atom-number variations. Finally, we discuss the extent to which these optimal solutions could be implemented with state-of-the-art technology.

Detection of coherent superpositions of phase states by full counting statistics in a Bose Josephson junction

We study the possibility of producing and detecting continuous variable cluster states in an extremely compact optical setup. This method is based on a multi-pixel homodyne detection system recently demonstrated experimentally, which includes classical data post-processing. It allows the incorporation of the linear optics network, usually employed in standard experiments for the production of cluster states, in the stage of the measurement. After giving an example of cluster state generation by this method, we further study how this procedure can be generalized to perform Gaussian quantum computation.

Effect of one-, two-, and three-body atom loss processes on superpositions of phase states in Bose-Josephson junctions

In quantum computation with continous-variable systems, quantum advantage can only be achieved if some non-Gaussian resource is available. Yet, non-Gaussian unitary evolutions and measurements suited for computation are challenging to realize in the lab. We propose and analyze two methods to apply a polynomial approximation of any unitary operator diagonal in the amplitude quadrature representation, including non-Gaussian operators, to an unknown input state. Our protocols use as a primary non-Gaussian resource a single-photon counter. We use the fidelity of the transformation with the target one on Fock and coherent states to assess the quality of the approximate gate.

Macroscopic superpositions in Bose-Josephson junctions: Controlling decoherence due to atom losses

We study a Bose Josephson junction realized with a double-well potential. We propose a strategy to observe the coherent superpositions of phase states occurring during the time evolution after a sudden rise of the barrier separating the two wells. We show that their phase content can be obtained by the full counting statistics of the spin-boson operators characterizing the junction, which could be mapped out by repeated measurements of the population imbalance after rotation of the state. This measurement can distinguish between coherent superpositions and incoherent mixtures, and can be used for a two-dimensional tomographic reconstruction of the phase content of the state.