Arbitrary Phase Access for Stable Fiber Interferometers. Issue 7 (4th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Roztocki, Piotr; MacLellan, Benjamin; Islam, Mehedi; Reimer, Christian; Fischer, Bennet; Sciara, Stefania; Helsten, Robin; Jestin, Yoann; Cino, Alfonso; Chu, Sai T.; Little, Brent; Moss, David J.; Kues, Michael; Morandotti, Roberto
• Is Part Of: Laser & photonics reviews. Volume 15:Issue 7(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-05-04
• Subjects: interferometers -- coherent signal processing -- quantum photonics; Lasers -- Periodicals; Photonics -- Periodicals; Lasers -- Périodiques; Photonique -- Périodiques; 621.36
• DOI: 10.1002/lpor.202000524
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1863-8880

Abstract

Abstract: Well‐controlled yet practical systems that give access to interference effects are critical for established and new functionalities in ultrafast signal processing, quantum photonics, optical coherence characterization, etc. Optical fiber systems constitute a central platform for such technologies. However, harnessing optical interference in a versatile and stable manner remains technologically costly and challenging. Here, degrees of freedom native to optical fibers, i.e., polarization and frequency, are used to demonstrate an easily deployable technique for the retrieval and stabilization of the relative phase in fiber interferometric systems. The scheme gives access (without intricate device isolation) to <1.3 × 10 −3 π rad error signal Allan deviation across 1 ms to 1.2 h integration times for all tested phases, ranging from 0 to 2π. More importantly, the phase‐independence of this stability is shown across the full 2π range, granting access to arbitrary phase settings, central for, e.g., performing quantum projection measurements and coherent pulse recombination. Furthermore, the scheme is characterized with attenuated optical reference signals and single‐photon detectors, and extended functionality is demonstrated through the use of pulsed reference signals (allowing time‐multiplexing of both main and reference signals). Finally, the scheme is used to demonstrate radiofrequency‐controlled interference of high‐dimensional time‐bin entangled states. Abstract : An easily deployable scheme for the retrieval and stabilization of relative phase in fiber interferometric systems is demonstrated, exhibiting long‐term and phase‐independent stability. The use of bright and dim/photon‐level reference signals is contrasted; pulsed references are shown to enable temporal multiplexing with quantum signals. The radiofrequency‐controlled interference of high‐dimensional entangled states is demonstrated, supporting the scheme's readiness for advanced use cases.