Work

Coherent control of photon pairs via quantum interference between second- and third-order quantum nonlinear processes

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Genuine quantum interference between independent nonlinear processes of different order provides a route to coherent control that cannot be reduced to a classical field interference. Here we present an all-optical analog of coherent carrier injection by exploiting interference between second- and third-order quantum nonlinear processes in an integrated photonic platform. Photon pairs generated via spontaneous parametric down-conversion and spontaneous four-wave mixing coherently contribute to the same final two-photon state, resulting in a phase-dependent modulation of both the generation rate and the spectral structure of the emitted biphoton state. We illustrate the features of such interference and how it can be used to shape biphoton wave functions and their quantum correlations. These results identify interference between nonlinear processes of different order as a distinct form of coherent quantum control within quantum nonlinear optics.

Source: Physical Review A

DOI: 10.1103/grcg-sjkp

Authors: Alessia Stefano, Samuel E. Fontaine, J. E. Sipe, Marco Liscidini

Institutions: University of Pavia, University of Toronto

Language: English

Topic: Quantum Information and Cryptography

Subfield: Artificial Intelligence

Field: Computer Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,675

Funders: European Commission, Ministero dell'Università e della Ricerca, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada