Narrowband frequency-entangled photon source for Hong–Ou–Mandel interferometry

Chen YJ, Huang SH, Dirmeier T, Laiho K, Strekalov DV, Aiello A, Leuchs G, Marquardt C (2026)

Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

Optica Quantum Optica Publishing Group

Book Volume: 4

Pages Range: 305

Issue: 3

Journal Issue: 3

DOI: 10.1364/OPTICAQ.596595

Abstract

Hong–Ou–Mandel (HOM) interferometry with entangled photons exhibits distinctive quantum features. By introducing frequency entanglement (discrete-color entangled states) into HOM interference, the characteristic HOM dip is modulated by sinusoidal fringes, which significantly enhances the sensitivity of HOM sensors. The frequency-entangled photon sources demonstrated to date rely on non-resonant parametric down-conversion (PDC), which limits the photon coherence length and, consequently, restricts the sensing dynamic range to the millimeter scale. In this work, we demonstrate narrowband frequency-entangled photon source based on resonant PDC in a crystalline whispering gallery mode resonator. The MHz-level spectral bandwidth of photons enables a meter-scale dynamic range. With highly nondegenerate frequency-entangled photon pairs featuring a 96 THz frequency detuning, we observe high-contrast quantum beating with sub-picosecond resolution in the HOM experiment. Our WGMR-based frequency-entangled photon source has potential applications in quantum metrology and quantum information processing.

Authors with CRIS profile

Yen-Ju Chen Chair of Optical Quantum Technologies Sheng-Hsuan Huang Chair of Optical Quantum Technologies Thomas Dirmeier Lehrstuhl für Experimentalphysik Andrea Aiello
Gerhard Leuchs Lehrstuhl für Experimentalphysik Christoph Marquardt Chair of Optical Quantum Technologies

Involved external institutions

Max-Planck-Institut für die Physik des Lichts (MPL) / Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light DE Germany (DE) Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR) / German Aerospace Center DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Chen, Y.-J., Huang, S.-H., Dirmeier, T., Laiho, K., Strekalov, D.V., Aiello, A.,... Marquardt, C. (2026). Narrowband frequency-entangled photon source for Hong–Ou–Mandel interferometry. Optica Quantum, 4(3), 305. https://doi.org/10.1364/OPTICAQ.596595

MLA:

Chen, Yen-Ju, et al. "Narrowband frequency-entangled photon source for Hong–Ou–Mandel interferometry." Optica Quantum 4.3 (2026): 305.

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