Reversing the temporal envelope of a heralded single photon using a cavity

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a method to generate single photons with a time-reversed envelope using a cavity, enhancing their interaction potential with two-level systems for quantum applications.

Contribution

It introduces a novel technique to reverse the temporal envelope of heralded single photons via cavity interaction, advancing quantum photonics control.

Findings

Reversal of photon temporal envelope achieved

Heralded photons with rising exponential shape produced

Potential for improved quantum system interactions

Abstract

We demonstrate a way to prepare single photons with a temporal envelope that resembles the time reversal of photons from the spontaneous decay process. We use the photon pairs generated from a time-ordered atomic cascade decay: the detection of the first photon of the cascade is used as a herald for the ground-state transition resonant second photon. We show how the interaction of the heralding photon with an asymmetric Fabry-Perot cavity reverses the temporal shape of its twin photon from a decaying to a rising exponential envelope. This single photon is expected to be ideal for interacting with two level systems.