Two-photon optics of Bessel-Gaussian modes

McLaren, M., Romero, J., Padgett, M.J. , Roux, F.S. and Forbes, A. (2013) Two-photon optics of Bessel-Gaussian modes. Physical Review A: Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics, 88(3), 032305. (doi: 10.1103/PhysRevA.88.033818)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.88.033818

Abstract

In this paper we consider geometrical two-photon optics of Bessel-Gaussian modes generated in spontaneous parametric down-conversion of a Gaussian pump beam. We provide a general theoretical expression for the orbital angular momentum (OAM) spectrum and Schmidt number in this basis and show how this may be varied by control over the radial degree of freedom, a continuous parameter in Bessel-Gaussian modes. As a test we first implement a back-projection technique to classically predict, by experiment, the quantum correlations for Bessel-Gaussian modes produced by three holographic masks: a blazed axicon, a binary axicon, and a binary Bessel function. We then proceed to test the theory on the down-converted photons using the binary Bessel mask. We experimentally quantify the number of usable OAM modes and confirm the theoretical prediction of a flattening in the OAM spectrum and a concomitant increase in the OAM bandwidth. The results have implications for the control of dimensionality in quantum states.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Padgett, Professor Miles and Romero, Dr Jacqui
Authors: McLaren, M., Romero, J., Padgett, M.J., Roux, F.S., and Forbes, A.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
Journal Name:Physical Review A: Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics
Publisher:American Physical Society
ISSN:1050-2947
ISSN (Online):1094-1622
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2013 American Physical Society
First Published:First published in Physical Review A: Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics 88(3):032305
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
549871Challenges in Orbital Angular MomentumMiles PadgettEngineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/I012451/1P&A - PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY