Generation of non-classical correlated photon pairs via a ladder-type atomic configuration: theory and experiment

TL;DR

This paper reports the experimental generation of non-classical correlated photon pairs at two different wavelengths using a ladder-type atomic configuration in rubidium vapor, supported by theoretical analysis and parameter studies.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method for generating non-classical photon pairs via a ladder-type atomic setup with both experimental demonstration and theoretical modeling.

Findings

Achieved a photon pair production rate of approximately 10^7 per second.

Demonstrated strong violation of Cauchy-Schwarz inequality with R=48+-12.

Showed the correlation depends on experimental parameters like detuning and pump power.

Abstract

We experimentally generate a non-classical correlated two-color photon pair at 780 and 1529.4 nm in a ladder-type configuration using a hot 85Rb atomic vapor with the production rate of ~107/s. The non-classical correlation between these two photons is demonstrated by strong violation of Cauchy-Schwarz inequality by the factor R=48+-12. Besides, we experimentally investigate the relations between the correlation and some important experimental parameters such as the single-photon detuning, the powers of pumps. We also make a theoretical analysis in detail and the theoretical predictions are in reasonable agreement with our experimental results.