Synchronization and phase shaping of single photons with high-efficiency quantum memory

TL;DR

This paper introduces an all-optical phase modulator integrated with quantum memory for single photons, enabling efficient time synchronization and phase shaping crucial for quantum information processing.

Contribution

The work presents a novel built-in phase modulator using quantum memory, eliminating the need for separate modulators and reducing insertion losses.

Findings

Fast phase modulation of single photons demonstrated

Quantum-memory-assisted Hong-Ou-Mandel interference observed

Anti-coalescence effect of photon pairs confirmed

Abstract

Time synchronization and phase shaping of single photons both play fundamental roles in quantum information applications that rely on multi-photon quantum interference. Phase shaping typically requires separate modulators with extra insertion losses. Here, we develop a all-optical built-in phase modulator for single photons using a quantum memory. The fast phase modulation of a single photon in both step and linear manner are verified by observing the efficient quantum-memory-assisted Hong-Ou-Mandel interference between two single photons, where the anti-coalescence effect of bosonic photon pairs is demonstrated. The developed phase modulator may push forward the practical quantum information applications.