Space-Time Quantum Metasurfaces

TL;DR

This paper introduces space-time quantum metasurfaces that enable dynamic control of quantum light, allowing for advanced functionalities like entanglement generation, nonreciprocal propagation, and reconfigurable quantum imaging.

Contribution

It presents the concept of space-time quantum metasurfaces and demonstrates their potential for manipulating nonclassical light in ways static metasurfaces cannot.

Findings

Creation of frequency-spin-path hyperentanglement on a single photon

Realization of space-time asymmetry at the quantum vacuum level

Potential for on-demand entanglement and nonreciprocal photon propagation

Abstract

Metasurfaces are a key photonic platform to manipulate classical light using sub-wavelength structures with designer optical response. Static metasurfaces have recently entered the realm of quantum photonics, showing their ability to tailor nonclassical states of light. We introduce the concept of space-time quantum metasurfaces for dynamical control of quantum light. We provide illustrative examples of the impact of spatio-temporally modulated metasurfaces in quantum photonics, including the creation of frequency-spin-path hyperentanglement on a single photon and the realization of space-time asymmetry at the deepest level of the quantum vacuum. Photonic platforms based on the space-time quantum metasurface concept have the potential to enable novel functionalities, such as on-demand entanglement generation for quantum communications, nonreciprocal photon propagation for free-space quantum isolation, and reconfigurable quantum imaging and sensing.