Evaluation of Polarization Mode Dispersion and Chromatic Dispersion using Quantum Interferometry

TL;DR

This paper explores quantum interferometry techniques using entangled photons to achieve ultra-precise measurements of polarization mode dispersion and chromatic dispersion, surpassing classical resolution limits.

Contribution

It introduces apparatuses employing coincidence counting of entangled photons for sub-femtosecond resolution in dispersion measurements and separation of chromatic effects.

Findings

Group delays measured with ~0.1 fs resolution

Attosecond phase delay resolution achieved

Separation of even- and odd-order chromatic effects

Abstract

The use of quantum correlations between photons to measure polarization mode dispersion (PMD) and chromatic dispersion is investigated. Two types of apparatus are discussed which use coincidence counting of entangled photon pairs to allow sub-femtosecond resolution for measurement of both PMD and chromatic dispersion, as well as separation of even-order and odd-order chromatic effects in the PMD. Group delays can be measured with a resolution of order 0.1 fs, whereas attosecond resolution can be achieved for phase delays.