Quantum correlation of path-entangled two-photon states in waveguide arrays with defects

Abstract

We study the quantum correlation of path-entangled states of two photons in coupled one-dimensional waveguide arrays with lattice defects. Both off-diagonal and diagonal defects are considered, which show different effects on the quantum correlation of path-entangled two-photon states. Two-photon bunching or anti-bunching effects can be observed and controlled. The two photons are found to have a tendency to bunch at the side lobes with a repulsive off-diagonal defect, and the path-entanglement of the input two-photon state can be preserved during the propagation. We also found that defect modes may play an important role on the two-photon correlation of path-entangled states in the waveguide arrays. Due to the quantum interference effect, intriguing evolution dynamics of the two-photon correlation matrix elements with oscillation frequencies being either twice of or the same as that of a classical light wave, depending on the position of the correlation matrix element, is observed. Our results show that it is possible to manipulate the two-photon correlation properties of path-entangled states in waveguide arrays with lattice defects.

Two-photon correlation and photon transport in disordered passive parity-time-symmetric lattices

“…Lattices of coupled waveguides also provide an excellent platform for the observation and manipulation of quantum properties of photons, which exhibit very different behaviors from those with a classical light wave due to the quantum interference effect [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23]. On the other hand, lattice disorder, which will be unavoidably introduced during the lattice fabrication process, may also have important effects on the light propagation behavior in PT -symmetric lattices [14,24].…”