Harnessing high-dimensional symmetric and anti-symmetric Bell states through quantum interference

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a method to generate and observe high-dimensional symmetric and anti-symmetric Bell states using quantum interference, advancing quantum information processing capabilities beyond qubits.

Contribution

It introduces a generalized formulation for high-dimensional Bell states and experimentally prepares four-dimensional orbital angular momentum Bell states with symmetric or anti-symmetric properties.

Findings

Successful experimental preparation of four-dimensional Bell states.

Direct observation of high-dimensional two-photon interference effects.

Provides an alternative approach for harnessing high-dimensional entanglement.

Abstract

High-dimensional quantum entanglement is an essential resource in quantum technology since it provides benefits in increasing the information capacity and processing speed. Thus, the controlled harnessing of high-dimensional entanglement has long been hailed as a necessary prerequisite towards practical quantum applications. By using a deterministic quantum state filter that implemented through quantum interference, we present a generalised formulation for the complete high-dimensional symmetric and anti-symmetric Bell basis, and experimentally prepare four-dimensional orbital angular momentum Bell states that provide the well-behaved symmetric or anti-symmetric properties. Additionally, we use a concise yet efficient scan of temporal delay to directly observe high-dimensional two-photon interference effects in spatial modes. These results provide an alternative way for harnessing high-dimensional entanglement, and may facilitate the use of quantum interference for more complex quantum information processing tasks that beyond qubits.