Distinguishability and many-particle iInterference
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Quantum interference of two independent particles in pure quantum states is fully described by the particles’ distinguishability: the closer the particles are to being identical, the higher the degree of quantum interference. When more than two particles are involved, the situation becomes more complex and interference capability extends beyond pairwise distinguishability, taking on a surprisingly rich character. Here, we study many-particle interference using three photons. We show that the distinguishability between pairs of photons is not sufficient to fully describe the photons’ behavior in a scattering process, but that a collective phase, the triad phase, plays a role. We are able to explore the full parameter space of three-photon interference by generating heralded single photons and interfering them in a fiber tritter. Using multiple degrees of freedom—temporal delays and polarization—we isolate three-photon interference from two-photon interference. Our experiment disproves the view that pairwise two-photon distinguishability uniquely determines the degree of nonclassical many-particle interference.
Date Issued
2017-04-14
Date Acceptance
2017-04-01
Citation
Physical Review Letters, 2017, 118 (15)
ISSN
0031-9007
Publisher
American Physical Society
Journal / Book Title
Physical Review Letters
Volume
118
Issue
15
Copyright Statement
© 2017 American Physical Society. Phys. Rev. Lett. 118, 153603 – Published 10 April 2017
Sponsor
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (E
Identifier
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000399957800010&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Grant Number
EP/K034480/1
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Physics
quant-ph
quant-ph
General Physics
01 Mathematical Sciences
02 Physical Sciences
09 Engineering
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
ARTN 153603
Date Publish Online
2017-04-10