Accurate and precise characterization of linear optical interferometers

TL;DR

This paper presents a comprehensive method for accurately and precisely characterizing multi-port linear optical interferometers by combining interference procedures, correcting systematic errors, and optimizing experimental efficiency.

Contribution

It introduces a novel combined approach with error correction and a scattershot method to improve accuracy, precision, and efficiency in interferometer characterization.

Findings

Systematic error correction improves measurement accuracy.

Fitting to measured spectra enhances precision.

Scattershot approach reduces experimental time.

Abstract

We combine single- and two-photon interference procedures for characterizing any multi-port linear optical interferometer accurately and precisely. Accuracy is achieved by estimating and correcting systematic errors that arise due to spatiotemporal and polarization mode mismatch. Enhanced accuracy and precision are attained by fitting experimental coincidence data to curve simulated using measured source spectra. We employ bootstrapping statistics to quantify the resultant degree of precision. A scattershot approach is devised to effect a reduction in the experimental time required to characterize the interferometer. The efficacy of our characterization procedure is verified by numerical simulations.