How to create and detect N-dimensional entangled photons with an active phase hologram

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a method using a spatial light modulator to generate and detect high-dimensional entangled photons, achieving up to 21 dimensions, which enhances quantum communication capabilities.

Contribution

The authors introduce a novel approach employing an active phase hologram to create and detect N-dimensional entangled photons, surpassing traditional fixed optics methods.

Findings

Achieved 21-dimensional entanglement with photons.

Demonstrated active manipulation of orbital angular momentum.

Potential for extending to even higher dimensions.

Abstract

The experimental realization of multidimensional quantum states may lead to unexplored and interesting physics, as well as advanced quantum communication protocols. The orbital angular momentum of photons is a well suitable discrete degree of freedom for implementing high-dimensional quantum systems. The standard method to generate and manipulate such photon modes is to use bulk and fixed optics. Here the authors demonstrate the utilization of a spatial light modulator to manipulate the orbital angular momentum of entangled photons generated in spontaneous parametric downconversion. They show that their setup allows them to realize photonic entanglement of up to 21 dimensions, which in principle can be extended to even larger dimensions.