Quantum diffraction and interference of spatially correlated photon pairs and its Fourier-optical analysis

Journal Article · Sat Jul 15 04:00:00 EDT 2006 · Physical Review. A

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVA.74.013801· OSTI ID:20852964

Shimizu, Ryosuke ^[1]; Edamatsu, Keiichi ^[2]; Itoh, Tadashi ^[3]

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1. CREST, Japan Science and Technology Agency, 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi 332-0012 (Japan)
2. Research Institute of Electrical Communication, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8577 (Japan)
3. Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka 560-8531 (Japan)

We present one- and two-photon diffraction and interference experiments involving parametric down-converted photon pairs. By controlling the divergence of the pump beam in parametric down-conversion, the diffraction-interference pattern produced by an object changes from a quantum (perfectly correlated) case to a classical (uncorrelated) one. The observed diffraction and interference patterns are accurately reproduced by Fourier-optical analysis taking into account the quantum spatial correlation. We show that the relation between the spatial correlation and the object size plays a crucial role in the formation of both one- and two-photon diffraction-interference patterns.

• OSTI ID: 20852964
• Journal Information: Physical Review. A, Journal Name: Physical Review. A Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 74; ISSN 1050-2947; ISSN PLRAAN
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
CORRELATIONS
DIFFRACTION
INTERFERENCE
MULTI-PHOTON PROCESSES
OPTICS
PHOTONS
QUANTUM MECHANICS