Work

Quantum Advantage for Single-Photon State Characterization

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: We propose a multiphoton interference protocol that characterizes the pairwise overlaps of the internal modes of single photons more efficiently than pairwise Hong-Ou-Mandel characterization experiments. We experimentally implement this protocol to characterize three photons. We show that our implementation of the characterization protocol outperforms the pairwise Hong-Ou-Mandel characterization, even if the Hong-Ou-Mandel characterization would have been performed in a noiseless, perfect experiment. We demonstrate this via the Fisher information matrix. Surprisingly, this advantage persists at arbitrary nonzero transmission, demonstrating the viability of this protocol for real-world characterization of single photons.

Source: Physical Review Letters

DOI: 10.1103/g28d-jzgj

Authors: S. N. van den Hoven, M. C. Anguita, S. Marzban, J. J. Renema

Institution: University of Twente

Language: English

Topic: Quantum Information and Cryptography

Subfield: Artificial Intelligence

Field: Computer Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek

Awards: G5340763987, At the Quantum Edge