Hybrid waveguide-bulk multi-path interferometer with switchable amplitude and phase

TL;DR

This paper presents a hybrid interferometer combining integrated and bulk optics, allowing independent control of amplitude and phase in multiple paths, suitable for quantum mechanics experiments.

Contribution

It introduces a novel hybrid interferometer design that balances stability and manipulability, enabling independent amplitude and phase control in all paths.

Findings

No higher-order interferences observed

Independent amplitude and phase manipulation demonstrated

Suitable for fundamental quantum mechanics studies

Abstract

We design and realise a hybrid interferometer consisting of three paths based on integrated as well as on bulk optical components. This hybrid construction offers a good compromise between stability and footprint on one side and means of intervention on the other. As experimentally verified by the absence of higher-order interferences, amplitude and phase can be manipulated in all paths independently. In conjunction with single photons, the setup can, therefore, be applied for fundamental investigations on quantum mechanics.