Chronological feed of everything captured from Jeremy O'Brien.
paper / jeremyobrien / Oct 12
Experimental demonstration uses five-particle optical spin-squeezed states from photon subtraction in parametric downconversion to enhance phase estimation. Fisher information across all photon-number outcomes yields a 1.58 quantum advantage over shot-noise limit. This holds despite experimental imperfections preventing sub-shot-noise average spin-observable noise, highlighting the value of full-distribution phase estimation strategies.
quantum-metrologyphase-estimationspin-squeezingoptical-squeezed-statesquantum-advantagefisher-information
“Quantum metrology with squeezed states exceeds shot-noise limit phase estimation precision.”
paper / jeremyobrien / Sep 1
Researchers demonstrate over 60 dB extinction ratio in a cascaded Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) on silicon photonics, using additional MZIs as tunable beamsplitters to compensate fabrication imperfections. An automated progressive optimization algorithm enables this without pre-calibration. This advances scalable control of linear-optical components for quantum information processing.
mach-zehnder-interferometersilicon-photonicshigh-extinction-ratioquantum-photonicsintegrated-opticsoptical-optimizationarxiv-paper
“Extinction ratio exceeds 60 dB in the silicon photonic device”
paper / jeremyobrien / Jun 20
The protocol realizes client-server quantum computing where client tasks are encoded as linear combinations of server-implemented operations, with coefficients hidden from the server. It leverages near-term feasible linear optics technology, demonstrated experimentally by remotely controlling linear combinations of two single-qubit operations. Efficiency holds for larger computations under specific conditions, while supporting client privacy.
quantum-physicsquantum-computingremote-quantum-controllinear-opticsclient-server-protocolarxiv-paper
“Client tasks in the protocol are realized as linear combinations of operations implemented by the server, with linear coefficients hidden from the server.”
paper / jeremyobrien / Mar 2
Quantum metrology achieves precision beyond classical shot-noise limits using multiphoton interference, traditionally requiring fully indistinguishable photons with perfect mode overlap. This work demonstrates that partially distinguishable photons suffice for quantum-enhanced sensitivity without needing engineered mitigation of distinguishability effects. Experiments with two- and four-photon states show low-visibility interference still yields quantum advantage, allowing practical use of sources with mixed spectral states.
quantum-physicsquantum-metrologyshot-noise-limitpartially-distinguishable-photonsphoton-sourcesarxiv-paper
“Perfectly overlapped modes are not required for quantum-enhanced measurement in quantum metrology”
paper / jeremyobrien / Feb 24
Analysis of quantum Fisher information per absorbed photon reveals limited quantum enhancements for estimating fixed optical phase shifts in lossy samples. Non-classical probes yield less than 20% RMSE reduction versus ideal classical strategies in multi-pass interferometers for fixed incident photons. A novel classical setup with extra interference stages further narrows this to ~4% quantum advantage. Non-ideal classical losses amplify relative quantum benefits.
quantum-physicsquantum-measurementphase-estimationquantum-fisher-informationinterferometryquantum-limitsoptical-sensing
“Non-classical techniques provide less than 20% reduction in RMSE compared to ideal classical techniques in multi-pass optical setups, for a given number of incident photons.”
paper / jeremyobrien / Oct 29
Researchers develop explicit efficient quantum circuits for continuous-time quantum walks on circulant graphs, enabling efficient sampling from their output probability distributions. They prove classical intractability for sampling from arbitrary circulant quantum circuits under complexity conjectures, forging a novel link to quantum supremacy. A proof-of-principle demonstration uses a two-qubit photonic processor on an example circulant graph.
quantum-walksquantum-circuitsquantum-processorquantum-supremacycirculant-graphsquantum-algorithms
“Explicit efficient quantum circuits exist for implementing continuous-time quantum walks on circulant graphs.”
paper / jeremyobrien / Sep 2
Researchers demonstrate GHz clocked QKD using monolithically integrated InP transmitter and SiOxNy receiver chips fabricated with telecom industry processes. These reconfigurable devices support BB84, COW, and DPS protocols with state-of-the-art performance and low error rates. Combined with integrated single photon detectors, they meet requirements for all levels of future QKD networks, from point-of-use to backbone, enabling integration into classical telecom infrastructures.
quantum-key-distributionchip-based-qkdquantum-cryptographyintegrated-photonicsqkd-protocolstelecom-integrationquantum-networks
“InP transmitter and SiOxNy receiver chips achieve low error rate QKD at GHz clock rates”
paper / jeremyobrien / Aug 13
Researchers achieve quantum logic via a photonic chip-integrated CNOT gate using narrow linewidth photons generated from a single 87Rb atom strongly coupled to a high-finesse cavity. They observe non-classical correlations between photon events separated by times exceeding the chip's photon travel time by three orders of magnitude. This combines narrowband single-photon sources with integrated photonics, enabling applications in networked quantum computing, sensing, and atomic memories.
quantum-physicsphotonic-quantum-logicsingle-photonsquantum-gatesnarrowband-lightintegrated-photonicsarxiv-paper
“Narrow linewidth photons are produced under nearly perfect quantum control from a single 87Rb atom strongly coupled to a high-finesse cavity.”
paper / jeremyobrien / Aug 13
Researchers demonstrate a quantum photonic interconnect using silicon photonics to distribute and manipulate path-entangled states between two separate chips via path-to-polarization encoding conversion. Integrated state analyzers confirm entanglement through a Bell inequality violation of S=2.638 ± 0.039. This advances scalable quantum systems for communication, sensing, and multi-chip quantum computing by overcoming coherent transmission challenges across chips.
quantum-photonicsphotonic-interconnectsilicon-photonicsentanglement-distributionquantum-computingbell-violationintegrated-photonics
“High-fidelity entanglement distribution and manipulation is achieved between two separate silicon photonic chips.”
paper / jeremyobrien / Aug 4
Researchers demonstrate sub-shot-noise absorption spectroscopy using wavelength-correlated, tunable photon pairs, surpassing the precision limit of coherent laser light constrained by photon shot noise. They measured absorption spectra of spectrally similar biological samples—oxyhemoglobin and carboxyhemoglobin—achieving equivalent resolution with fewer heralded single probe photons than an ideal laser requires. This quantum-enhanced approach mitigates technical noise floors in standard spectroscopy.
quantum-physicsabsorption-spectroscopyshot-noisesub-shot-noisephoton-pairsquantum-enhancedbiological-samples
“Precision in state-of-the-art absorption spectroscopy is theoretically limited by shot-noise from the Poisson distribution of photons in laser radiation.”
paper / jeremyobrien / Jun 20
The method enables direct generation of Haar random unitary matrices in optical circuits by mapping independent probability densities of Haar parameters to physical optical components, bypassing explicit matrix calculations. This approach supports applications in quantum information, notably boson sampling with photons in linear optics. The technique extends to random unitaries for qubits.
quantum-physicshaar-random-unitariesoptical-circuitsboson-samplingquantum-informationrandom-unitariesqubits
“Haar random unitary matrices can be directly implemented in optical circuits without prior or explicit matrix calculations.”
paper / jeremyobrien / May 29
Researchers demonstrate the first integrated photonic implementation of continuous-variable (CV) Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) entanglement on a chip, overcoming free-space optical limitations like complexity, alignment, and stability. The chip generates and characterizes EPR beams, key for CV quantum protocols and hybrid CV-discrete variable systems. Combined with integrated squeezing and non-Gaussian operations, this advances scalable universal quantum information processing with light.
quantum-physicscontinuous-variableentanglementphotonic-chipepr-statesquantum-informationarxiv-paper
“CV entanglement in EPR states is generated and characterized on a photonic chip.”
paper / jeremyobrien / May 5
Researchers demonstrate a six-mode universal linear optical system on a photonic chip using 15 cascaded Mach-Zehnder interferometers and 30 thermo-optic phase shifters. The chip implements all linear optical protocols up to six modes, including heralded quantum logic gates, boson sampling with verification, and six-dimensional complex Hadamards. It achieves 100 Haar random unitaries with 0.999 ± 0.001 average fidelity and switches protocols in seconds.
universal-linear-opticsmach-zehnder-interferometersphotonic-chipboson-samplingquantum-logic-gatesquantum-optics
“The system consists of a six-mode universal linear optical circuit with 15 Mach-Zehnder interferometers and 30 thermo-optic phase shifters on a single photonic chip.”
paper / jeremyobrien / Mar 4
Photonic qubits face non-deterministic single-photon generation from parametric sources, addressed by active temporal multiplexing via optical switching networks and feed-forward. Demonstrated system uses 8 temporal bins from a double-passed heralded source, achieving increased heralding and heralded photon rates. This reduces resource complexity for scalable quantum technologies like single-photon sources and computation.
quantum-physicsphotonic-qubitstemporal-multiplexingsingle-photon-sourcesquantum-technologiesphoton-detection
“Active temporal multiplexing overcomes non-deterministic photon generation in photonic quantum systems.”
paper / jeremyobrien / Jan 15
Single-photon experiments have pioneered tests of quantum mechanics foundations, including wave-particle duality via complementarity and delayed-choice setups. Recent photonics advances enable Bell nonlocality tests that separately address all major loopholes. These developments leverage engineering progress to experimentally resolve classical-quantum conflicts.
quantum-physicsphoton-experimentswave-particle-dualitybell-nonlocalityquantum-foundationsarxiv-paper
“Experiments with single photons have historically led tests of fundamental quantum theory.”
paper / jeremyobrien / Oct 30
Researchers demonstrate a silicon photonic chip integrating resonant-enhanced spontaneous four-wave mixing sources, filters, and reconfigurable optics to produce a path-entangled two-qubit state, the smallest non-trivial cluster state for quantum computation. The sources achieve high indistinguishability despite nonlinear dynamics and exhibit small frequency correlations as predicted. Quantum state tomography and Bell-CHSH inequality violation confirm robust qubit entanglement, enabling scalable on-chip quantum information processing.
qubit-entanglementsilicon-photonic-chipquantum-cluster-statespontaneous-four-wave-mixingquantum-state-tomographybell-chsh-inequalityquantum-physics
“The silicon photonic chip generates a path-entangled two-qubit state, the smallest non-trivial cluster state.”
paper / jeremyobrien / Sep 18
Theoretical analysis quantifies photon loss effects in multiplexed heralded single-photon sources, deriving output probabilities for single-photon emission and multi-photon contamination across general and specific architectures. Simulations reveal that switches with 0.2-0.4 dB loss paired with high-efficiency number-resolving detectors enable efficient generation of 20-40 photon states with low multi-photon error. This performance unlocks advanced quantum experiments and technologies requiring many-photon Fock states.
single-photon-sourcesquantum-multiplexingphoton-lossquantum-opticsheralded-sourcesmulti-photon-states
“Photon loss in optical components and non-unit heralding detector efficiency degrade multiplexed single-photon source performance by reducing single-photon emission probability and increasing multi-photon contamination.”
paper / jeremyobrien / Aug 27
Proposes a quantum gambling protocol enabling fair play between spatially separated parties without a trusted third party. Uses game theory to drive strategies to a Nash-equilibrium point, with fairness guaranteed by quantum mechanics laws. Includes a biased variant for lotteries and casinos, demonstrated via optical proof-of-principle experiment.
quantum-physicsquantum-gamblingnash-equilibriumquantum-protocolsgame-theoryarxiv-paperfair-gambling
“The protocol enables fair gambling between two spatially separated parties without a trusted third party.”
paper / jeremyobrien / Mar 11
Researchers demonstrate GaAs photonic waveguide circuits for manipulating single- and two-photon states, achieving 94.9 ± 1.3% visibility in two-photon quantum interference using directional couplers. Mach-Zehnder interferometers in GaAs exhibit classical interference visibility of 98.6 ± 1.3% and quantum visibility of 84.4 ± 1.5% via the electro-optic Pockels effect. This establishes GaAs as a viable platform for fully integrated quantum photonics, building on prior single-photon sources and detectors.
gaas-photonicsquantum-circuitsintegrated-photonicssingle-photon-sourcesquantum-interferencepockels-effectarxiv-paper
“Two-photon quantum interference visibility of 94.9 ± 1.3% achieved in GaAs directional couplers.”
paper / jeremyobrien / Feb 12
Quantum process tomography (QPT) characterizes unknown optical processes but is limited by shot noise in single-photon or laser probes. This scheme uses non-classical multiphoton input states and quantum interferences to enhance precision, scaling efficiency with photon number per mode. Demonstrated with four-photon states, it reduces statistical fluctuations, equating one four-photon probe to twelve single-photon probes in ideal cases.
quantum-process-tomographyquantum-enhanced-tomographyphotonicsquantum-interferenceshot-noisemulti-photon-statesquantum-physics
“Precision of QPT is limited by unavoidable shot noise in single-photon and laser probes.”
paper / jeremyobrien / Dec 6
Researchers demonstrate pseudorandom optical processes using finite ensembles of two-mode t-designs (t=1,2) that mimic true randomness for 1- and 2-photon quantum interference but fail for 2- and 3-photon cases, respectively. This optical method tests pseudorandomness by verifying uniformity in outputs for arbitrary configurations via degree-2t polynomials governing t-photon behavior. The approach provides a practical quantum benchmark for randomness generation in information science.
quantum-physicsrandomness-testingphotonst-designsquantum-interferencepseudorandomnessarxiv-paper
“1-designs are indistinguishable from true random operations for 1-photon quantum interference”
paper / jeremyobrien / Nov 12
Researchers develop and demonstrate scalable methods to verify correct operation of linear optical quantum sampling algorithms, which produce distributions intractable to classical simulation. Implemented on 3-5 photon circuits in Hilbert spaces up to 50,000 dimensions, these methods achieve >99% confidence of non-classical sampling with few trials using unitary-specific witnesses. The approach leverages native quantum characteristics like bosonic clouding and extends to verification challenges in broader quantum technologies.
quantum-complexitylinear-opticsquantum-verificationbosonic-cloudingphoton-samplingquantum-technologies
“Detection of photons through linear optical circuits samples from a classically intractable probability distribution”
paper / jeremyobrien / Aug 12
Researchers demonstrate quantum walks of correlated photon pairs in a 2D network of laser-written waveguides arranged in a 'swiss cross' configuration. Correlated detection events reveal high-visibility quantum interference and composite behavior, including strong correlations between photons and independent walker dynamics both within and across cross planes. Violations of classically defined inequalities for same-plane and orthogonal-plane injections confirm non-classical effects in this non-planar structure.
quantum-walkscorrelated-photonswaveguide-arraysquantum-interferencequant-pharxiv-paperphoton-pairs
“Quantum walks of correlated photon pairs were demonstrated in a 2D 'swiss cross' waveguide array.”
paper / jeremyobrien / Jul 17
Researchers demonstrate a practical, loss-tolerant photonic quantum metrology scheme that utilizes all multi-photon components from spontaneous parametric downconversion (SPDC) without additional state engineering. The approach delivers a quantum advantage of 28% in optical phase precision using the four-photon detection component, despite 83% system loss. This validates key principles for real-world quantum sensors leveraging current quantum-optical technology.
quantum-metrologyquantum-sensorsphotonic-quantumspontaneous-parametric-downconversionquantum-precision-measurementquantum-advantagearxiv-paper
“The scheme harnesses all multi-photon components in spontaneous parametric downconversion for quantum metrology”
paper / jeremyobrien / Apr 10
Researchers introduce a variational eigenvalue solver combining a photonic quantum processor with classical optimization, bypassing the full coherence demands of quantum phase estimation. This hybrid approach uses ansatz-based state preparation and optimization to compute molecular ground-state energies. Demonstrated on He-H+ to chemical accuracy using current small-scale quantum hardware, it lowers coherence time barriers for near-term quantum devices.
quantum-computingeigenvalue-solvervariational-algorithmquantum-processorquantum-chemistryphotonic-quantumground-state-energy
“The variational method reduces coherence time requirements compared to quantum phase estimation for finding eigenvalues.”
paper / jeremyobrien / Apr 4
Researchers demonstrate a silicon-on-insulator device integrating two four-wave mixing photon sources within a reconfigurable interferometer, enabling on-chip generation and manipulation of two-color or same-color, path-entangled or path-unentangled photon pairs. The device achieves up to 100.0±0.4% visibility in quantum interference on-chip and 95±4% off-chip, eliminating the need for external sources. This advances scalable quantum photonic circuits toward fully integrated technologies.
quantum-photonicssilicon-photonicsquantum-interferenceon-chip-integrationfour-wave-mixingphoton-pair-sourcesquantum-circuits
“The device combines two four-wave mixing photon sources in a waveguide interferometer with a reconfigurable phase shifter.”
paper / jeremyobrien / Sep 7
Researchers demonstrate coherent time evolution of quantum walks using two indistinguishable photons in silicon oxynitride waveguide arrays of 21 evanescently coupled waveguides. They compare evolutions across three array lengths, observing unitary dynamics and quantum interference violating classical predictions. The longest array incorporates reflecting boundaries, enabling study of finite-size effects.
quantum-walkstwo-photonintegrated-opticsquantum-interferenceboundary-conditionsevanescent-waveguidesquantum-dynamics
“Coherent evolution of two-photon quantum walks was achieved using planar arrays of 21 evanescently coupled waveguides in silicon oxynitride.”
paper / jeremyobrien / Aug 14
Presents a constructive scheme to fully characterize the unitary matrix of any linear optical device via measurements on one-photon and two-photon input ensembles. The method exhibits super-stability scaling arbitrarily with photon packet length and remains unaffected by input/output photon loss. It establishes a one-to-one mapping from ideal measurement data to the unitary matrix, identifies compatible non-unitary matrices, and extends to coherent state probes with reduced visibility; noise performance is analyzed via simulations.
quantum-tomographylinear-opticsphotonicsquantum-opticsunitary-reconstructionarxiv-paper
“The scheme retrieves the unitary matrix using data from one-photon and two-photon ensembles.”
paper / jeremyobrien / May 22
Researchers implement Wheeler's delayed-choice experiment using a quantum controlled beam-splitter, enabling simultaneous probing of photon particle and wave behaviors without observer choice. A Bell inequality test replaces the classical delayed choice, revealing strong violations that rule out local realist models where photons pre-determine their behavior based on foreseen apparatus. This confirms the intrinsically quantum, context-dependent nature of wave-particle duality.
quantum-physicsdelayed-choicewave-particle-dualitybell-inequalityquantum-experiment
“Quantum controlled beam-splitter enables simultaneous investigation of both particle and wave behaviors in a delayed-choice setup.”
paper / jeremyobrien / May 21
Researchers demonstrated quantum interference between two photons modulated by Berry's geometric phase in an optical network without closed loops. This approach embeds geometric phase gates in multi-photon interference circuits, potentially offering exponential advantages for specific problems over classical computation. The method reduces error correction demands for fault tolerance due to the physical simplicity of geometric phases.
quantum-physicsberry-phasequantum-interferencehadamard-networkgeometric-phase-gatesmulti-photon-interferencequantum-computation
“Multi-photon quantum interference models provide exponential speedup over classical computers for certain problems”
paper / jeremyobrien / Apr 22
Researchers demonstrate photon pair generation via spontaneous four-wave mixing in a silicon micro-ring resonator, achieving a maximum rate of 123 MHz and coincidence-to-accidental ratio (CAR) of 602. Reverse biasing the p-i-n structure doubles the pair generation rate while maintaining CAR, mitigating free-carrier degradation. This advances scalable, chip-integrated quantum photon sources beyond bulk crystal SPDC.
photon-pair-generationsilicon-micro-ringspontaneous-four-wave-mixingreverse-bias-enhancementquantum-opticsintegrated-photonics
“Maximum coincidence-to-accidental ratio (CAR) of 602 ± 37 in silicon micro-ring photon pair generation”
paper / jeremyobrien / Feb 20
Large cross-section GaN waveguides support integrated quantum photonic circuits via directional couplers designed with beam propagation method and fabricated by ICP etching. SEM confirms high-quality facets and precise rib gaps. At 800 nm, devices exhibit single-mode operation, tunable splitting ratios, and 96% visibility Hong-Ou-Mandel interference for degenerate photon pairs.
gan-waveguidesdirectional-couplersquantum-photonicsintegrated-opticshong-ou-mandelarxiv-paper
“GaN directional couplers fabricated with ICP etching show high-quality facets and well-defined gaps”
paper / jeremyobrien / Jan 31
Researchers demonstrate an integrated photonic quantum platform using silicon-on-insulator waveguides, achieving two-photon quantum interference in a multi-mode interference coupler and entanglement manipulation in a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. These components are orders of magnitude smaller than prior implementations, advancing scalable all-silicon photonic quantum technologies. The work establishes a foundation for compact quantum circuits handling quantum states of light.
quantum-physicssilicon-photonicsquantum-interferenceentanglement-manipulationphotonic-circuitsarxiv-paper
“Quantum interference and manipulation of quantum states of light are demonstrated in silicon-on-insulator waveguide circuits.”
paper / jeremyobrien / Nov 17
Researchers demonstrate a resource-efficient variant of Shor's quantum factoring algorithm by recycling a single qubit n times in place of the n-qubit control register, reducing total qubits to one third of the standard protocol. They encode the work register in higher-dimensional states and implement a two-photon compiled algorithm to factor 21, yielding output distinguishable from noise. This scalable approach applies to all quantum architectures, enabling larger implementations.
shors-algorithmquantum-factoringqubit-recyclingquantum-computingexperimental-quantumarxiv-paper
“Qubit recycling replaces the n-qubit control register with a single qubit recycled n times, reducing total qubits to one third of the standard Shor's protocol.”
paper / jeremyobrien / Nov 8
Bell tests can violate inequalities with near certainty using unaligned but calibrated devices, or fully uncalibrated and unaligned devices, eliminating needs for precise alignment and calibration. Demonstrated on singlet states of two photons via reconfigurable integrated optical waveguide circuits with random local measurements. Results robust to imperfections and noise, enabling applications in device-independent quantum key distribution.
bell-inequalityquantum-nonlocalitybell-testquantum-foundationsdevice-independentintegrated-opticsquantum-technologies
“Bell inequalities can be violated with near certainty using unaligned but calibrated measurement devices.”
paper / jeremyobrien / Oct 19
Researchers implemented the full quantum phase estimation algorithm on a single qubit unitary, calculating unknown eigenvalues directly without prior knowledge of the answer. They introduced a novel, efficient method for controlled-unitary operations that eliminates the need to know eigenvalues in advance, applicable across quantum architectures. This enables near-term quantum simulations, metrology, and paves the way for large-scale factoring.
quantum-algorithmsquantum-phase-estimationeigenvaluesquantum-computingquantum-simulationarxiv-paper
“All prior quantum algorithm demonstrations required knowing the answer beforehand to construct the algorithm.”
paper / jeremyobrien / Sep 14
Researchers demonstrate quantum metrology using two-photon entangled states in an opto-fluidic waveguide interferometer to measure bovine serum albumin (BSA) concentration in aqueous buffer. This approach achieves optical interferometry precision equivalent to classical high-intensity methods but with lower light exposure, suitable for photosensitive samples. The experiment advances practical quantum-enhanced sensing beyond fixed optical components to biological analytes.
quantum-physicsquantum-metrologyentangled-photonsoptical-interferometryprotein-concentrationopto-fluidicsarxiv-paper
“Entangled states of light enable the same precision in optical interferometry as higher light intensity with less sample exposure.”
paper / jeremyobrien / Jul 18
Researchers demonstrate electro-optic control of polarization and path for 1550 nm heralded single photons in lithium niobate waveguides. Key achievements include single-photon state engineering, quantum interference, rapid preparation of two-photon entangled states, and feedback-controlled interference. This platform supports integrating nonlinear photon sources with reconfigurable circuits for photonic quantum technologies.
quantum-physicssingle-photonslithium-niobatewaveguide-deviceselectro-optic-effectquantum-interferencephotonic-quantum-technology
“Fast polarization and path control of 1550 nm photons is achieved in lithium niobate waveguide devices using the electro-optic effect.”
paper / jeremyobrien / Jun 6
Researchers use entangled photons and multiple applications of a quantum process to simulate quantum interference for bosons, fermions, and anyons with fractional statistics. The method exploits photon correlations to mimic arbitrary exchange statistics in 2D systems, independent of the photons' intrinsic bosonic nature. Experiments achieve 93.6±0.2% fidelity to ideal models, generalizing to multi-particle systems and other quantum platforms.
quantum-statisticsentangled-photonsbosons-fermionsanyonsquantum-simulationquantum-optics
“Entangled photons can simulate quantum interference of fermions, bosons, and anyons”
paper / jeremyobrien / Dec 6
Researchers developed a technique using confocal microscopy and FIB etching to fabricate micro/nano-structures in diamond, registering them to single NV defects with hundreds-of-nm accuracy. They etched an 8-micron hemisphere centered on a single NV-center, eliminating refraction and aberration losses at the diamond-air interface. Fluorescence photon count rate increased 8-fold post-fabrication, directly measured before and after.
diamond-nv-centersnano-fabricationsolid-immersion-lensesquantum-opticsphoton-collectionfocused-ion-beamconfocal-microscopy
“Technique achieves positional accuracy of hundreds of nanometers for structures relative to fluorescent defects in diamond.”
paper / jeremyobrien / Nov 7
Researchers demonstrate the first 1550 nm correlated photon-pair source using an integrated chalcogenide As2S3 waveguide. With 57 mW continuous-wave pump power, they achieve a pair coincidence rate of 80 per second. The coincidence-to-accidental ratio is limited by spontaneous Raman scattering, which can be mitigated using a pulsed pump source.
photon-pairschalcogenide-waveguidequantum-opticscorrelated-photonsintegrated-photonicsraman-scatteringarxiv-paper
“This is the first demonstration of a 1550 nm correlated photon-pair source in an integrated chalcogenide As2S3 waveguide.”
paper / jeremyobrien / Sep 12
Researchers characterized a single NE8 nickel-based color center in a diamond nanocrystal at room temperature, measuring a single photon coherence time of 0.21 ps and emission lifetime of 1.5 ns. The narrow linewidth supports transform-limited emission essential for quantum interference in photonic quantum technologies. NE8 outperforms the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center as a polarized single-photon source due to its suitable emission wavelength for existing quantum optical systems.
quantum-physicssingle-photon-sourcediamond-color-centerne8-centrecoherence-timephotonicsoptics
“Single NE8 color center in diamond nanocrystal exhibits single photon coherence time of 0.21 ps at room temperature.”
paper / jeremyobrien / Jul 8
Researchers demonstrate quantum interference of photons in multimode interference (MMI) devices for the first time, enabling compact NxM optical circuits. They introduce a novel characterization technique applicable to any photonic device that eliminates the need for phase-stable measurements. MMI devices offer a robust path to reduce complexity and enhance functionality in quantum photonic circuits.
quantum-physicsmultimode-interferencequantum-interferencephotonic-devicesmmi-devicesarxiv-paper
“This work is the first demonstration of quantum interference in multimode interference (MMI) devices.”
paper / jeremyobrien / Jun 24
Researchers demonstrate quantum walks of two identical photons in a 21-waveguide array on a SiOxNy chip using continuous evanescent coupling. They observe quantum correlations violating classical limits by 76 standard deviations, critically dependent on the input state. This enables encoding quantum information in an exponentially larger state space via correlated particles, advancing quantum simulation and computation.
quantum-walkscorrelated-particlesquantum-interferencephotonicswaveguidesquantum-computationarxiv-paper
“Quantum walks of two identical photons were performed in an array of 21 continuously evanescently-coupled waveguides in a SiOxNy chip.”
paper / jeremyobrien / Jun 24
Researchers demonstrate the first experimental KLM controlled-NOT gate, a photonic quantum circuit that achieves effective single-photon optical nonlinearity using only linear optical elements, auxiliary photons, and measurements. The implementation employs a stable four-photon network of nested interferometers based on displaced-Sagnac designs and partially polarizing beamsplitters. This validates the initial step in the KLM protocol for scalable all-optical quantum computing, with applications in entanglement generation, purification, telecommunications, and sensing.
klm-cnot-gatephotonic-quantum-circuitoptical-nonlinearityquantum-computationlinear-opticsfour-photon-networkquantum-information
“Knill, Laflamme, and Milburn proposed a heralded CNOT gate using linear optical elements, auxiliary photons, and measurement to achieve efficient optical nonlinearity at the single-photon level.”
paper / jeremyobrien / Jun 14
Researchers introduce a technique to add control qubits to arbitrary unknown quantum operations without requiring knowledge of the operation or its implementation details. This architecture-independent method separates the challenges of implementing quantum operations from adding controls, addressing a key complexity barrier in quantum algorithms, simulations, and metrology. Demonstrated via an entanglement-based photonic implementation achieving high-fidelity two-qubit gates.
quantum-physicsquantum-computingcontrol-qubitsquantum-gatesphotonic-quantumarxiv-paperquantum-operations
“The technique allows adding control qubits to arbitrary unknown quantum operations”
paper / jeremyobrien / Jun 10
Integrated solid immersion lenses (SILs) etched into diamond surfaces overcome refraction and reflection losses at the diamond-air interface, enhancing photon collection efficiency from NV- defect centers. Experiments demonstrate a 10-fold increase in saturated count-rate from a single NV- in a 5 μm diameter SIL versus planar surfaces in the same crystal. Background emission is reduced by a factor of 3 due to minimized excitation volume, with potential scalability to other diamond defect centers.
diamond-defectsnv-centerssolid-immersion-lensesphoton-collectionquantum-opticsmicrofabricationarxiv-paper
“Integrated SILs etched into diamond increase saturated count-rate from a single NV- center by a factor of 10 compared to planar surfaces.”
paper / jeremyobrien / May 27
Researchers demonstrate heralded creation of two- and four-photon path-entangled NOON states using a reconfigurable integrated waveguide device, where projective measurements on auxiliary photons project the remaining photons into superpositions of all-in-one-path or all-in-another-path. These NOON states enable phase measurements at the Heisenberg limit, surpassing classical precision. The approach uses four- and six-photon inputs and incorporates loss-robust states for practical phase superresolution on chip.
quantum-physicsphoton-entanglementnoon-statesquantum-metrologyintegrated-waveguidepath-entanglementarxiv-paper
“Projective measurement of auxiliary photons heralds two- and four-photon path-entangled NOON states in an integrated waveguide device.”
paper / jeremyobrien / Apr 2
Silica-on-silicon waveguides form directional couplers and interferometers for photonic quantum circuits meeting quantum information requirements. A spectrally tuned photon source generates near-identical photon pairs to test circuit performance. Demonstrated non-classical two-photon interference and a two-photon entangling logic gate with near-unit fidelity advance scalable photonic quantum systems.
quantum-physicsphotonic-circuitsquantum-informationhigh-fidelity-quantumarxiv-papersilica-waveguidesphoton-entanglement
“Photonic quantum circuits fabricated from silica-on-silicon waveguides operate at levels required for quantum information science.”
paper / jeremyobrien / Mar 24
Superconducting single-photon detectors (SSPDs) integrated with silica-on-silicon quantum waveguide circuits achieve 92.3±1.0% two-photon interference visibility in a directional coupler at 804 nm, surpassing silicon detectors (89.9±0.3%). This enables operation of controlled-NOT gates and quantum metrology circuits with superior infrared sensitivity, low dark counts, and picosecond timing. The approach paves the way for telecom-wavelength scalable quantum information processing on chip.
quantum-waveguide-circuitssuperconducting-single-photon-detectorstwo-photon-interferencequantum-information-sciencesspssilica-waveguidesquantum-optics
“SSPDs achieve 92.3±1.0% two-photon interference visibility in a silica-on-silicon waveguide directional coupler at λ=804 nm”