# Talbot Effect of orbital angular momentum lattices with single photons

## TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the Talbot Effect with single photons in a lattice of orbital angular momentum states, revealing self-imaging and fractional Talbot phenomena that enhance quantum optics techniques.

## Contribution

First experimental demonstration of the Talbot Effect with single photons in an OAM lattice, showing self-imaging and fractional Talbot effects in quantum optics.

## Key findings

- Wavefronts of single photons show self-imaging upon propagation.
- Intensity profiles at fractional Talbot distances reveal helical phase structures.
- The results extend the applications of OAM in quantum optics.

## Abstract

The self-imaging, or Talbot Effect, that occurs with the propagation of periodically structured waves has enabled several unique applications in optical metrology, image processing, data transmission, and matter-wave interferometry. In this work, we report on the first demonstration of a Talbot Effect with single photons prepared in a lattice of orbital angular momentum (OAM) states. We observe that upon propagation, the wavefronts of the single photons manifest self-imaging whereby the OAM lattice intensity profile is recovered. Furthermore, we show that the intensity at fractional Talbot distances is indicative of a periodic helical phase structure corresponding to a lattice of OAM states. This phenomenon is a powerful addition to the toolbox of orbital angular momentum and spin-orbit techniques that have already enabled many recent developments in quantum optics.