Polarization dependence on downconversion emission angle: Investigation of the 'Migdall effect'

Radhika Rangarajan, Alfred B. U'Ren, Paul G. Kwiat

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Photonic sources based on spontaneous parametric downconversion (SPDC) are now pervasively employed in optical quantum information processing protocols. The recent focus on engineering efficient photonic sources requires a thorough understanding of several of the subtler characteristics of SPDC, which had previously been negligible. Here, we experimentally investigate one such phenomenon - the dependence of the downconversion polarization on emission angle. Additionally, we discuss the significance of this effect from the perspective of better engineering SPDC sources. We also propose techniques, specifically in the context of a two-crystal scheme for generating polarization-entangled photons, to exploit the effect and drastically improve source quality in certain limiting cases.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)312-317
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Modern Optics
Volume58
Issue number3-4
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 10 2011

Keywords

  • downconversion polarization
  • engineering photon state
  • two-crystal geometry

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

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