How to optimize the absorption of two entangled photons

We investigate how entanglement can enhance two-photon absorption in a three-level system. First, we employ the Schmidt decomposition to determine the entanglement properties of the optimal two-photon state to drive such a transition, and the maximum enhancement which can be achieved in comparison to the optimal classical pulse. We then adapt the optimization problem to realistic experimental constraints, where photon pairs from a down-conversion source are manipulated by local operations such as spatial light modulators. We derive optimal pulse shaping functions to enhance the absorption efficiency, and compare the maximal enhancement achievable by entanglement to the yield of optimally shaped, separable pulses.

Schmidt Decomposition and Coherence of Interfering Alternatives

The Schmidt decomposition and the correlational analysis based on it make it possible to identify statistical dependences between various subsystems of a single physical system. The systems under consideration can be both quantum states and classical probability distributions. In this study, two different physical systems are considered: quantum Schrödinger cat states and double-slit interference of microparticles. It is shown that the considered systems have a single internal structure and can be described in general terms of interfering alternatives. An effective approach is developed that allows us to calculate optical characteristics of interference such as visibility and coherence. It is shown that the scalar product of the states of the environment of interfering alternatives acts as a natural generalization of the classical complex parameter of the coherence of light oscillations, which determines the visibility of the interference pattern. A simple quantitative relationship is obtained between the visibility of the interference pattern and the Schmidt number, which determines the level of connection between a quantum system and its environment. The developed approaches are generalized to the case of multidimensional Schrödinger cat states.

Observation of frequency-uncorrelated photon pairs generated by counter-propagating spontaneous parametric down-conversion

We report the generation of frequency-uncorrelated photon pairs from counter-propagating spontaneous parametric down-conversion in a periodically-poled KTP waveguide. The joint spectral intensity of photon pairs is characterized by measuring the corresponding stimulated process, namely, the difference frequency generation process. The experimental result shows a clear uncorrelated joint spectrum, where the backward-propagating photon has a narrow bandwidth of 7.46 GHz and the forward-propagating one has a bandwidth of 0.23 THz like the pump light. The heralded single-photon purity estimated through Schmidt decomposition is as high as 0.996, showing a perspective for ultra-purity and narrow-band single-photon generation. Such unique feature results from the backward-wave quasi-phase-matching condition and does not has a strict limitation on the material and working wavelength, thus fascinating its application in photonic quantum technologies.

Switching and Swapping of Quantum Information: Entropy and Entanglement Level

Information switching and swapping seem to be fundamental elements of quantum communication protocols. Another crucial issue is the presence of entanglement and its level in inspected quantum systems. In this article, a formal definition of the operation of the swapping local quantum information and its existence proof, together with some elementary properties analysed through the prism of the concept of the entropy, are presented. As an example of the local information swapping usage, we demonstrate a certain realisation of the quantum switch. Entanglement levels, during the work of the switch, are calculated with the Negativity measure and a separability criterion based on the von Neumann entropy, spectral decomposition and Schmidt decomposition. Results of numerical experiments, during which the entanglement levels are estimated for systems under consideration with and without distortions, are presented. The noise is generated by the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction and the intrinsic decoherence is modelled by the Milburn equation. This work contains a switch realisation in a circuit form—built out of elementary quantum gates, and a scheme of the circuit which estimates levels of entanglement during the switch’s operating.

Quantum Information in Neural Systems

Identifying the physiological processes in the central nervous system that underlie our conscious experiences has been at the forefront of cognitive neuroscience. While the principles of classical physics were long found to be unaccommodating for a causally effective consciousness, the inherent indeterminism of quantum physics, together with its characteristic dichotomy between quantum states and quantum observables, provides a fertile ground for the physical modeling of consciousness. Here, we utilize the Schrödinger equation, together with the Planck–Einstein relation between energy and frequency, in order to determine the appropriate quantum dynamical timescale of conscious processes. Furthermore, with the help of a simple two-qubit toy model we illustrate the importance of non-zero interaction Hamiltonian for the generation of quantum entanglement and manifestation of observable correlations between different measurement outcomes. Employing a quantitative measure of entanglement based on Schmidt decomposition, we show that quantum evolution governed only by internal Hamiltonians for the individual quantum subsystems preserves quantum coherence of separable initial quantum states, but eliminates the possibility of any interaction and quantum entanglement. The presence of non-zero interaction Hamiltonian, however, allows for decoherence of the individual quantum subsystems along with their mutual interaction and quantum entanglement. The presented results show that quantum coherence of individual subsystems cannot be used for cognitive binding because it is a physical mechanism that leads to separability and non-interaction. In contrast, quantum interactions with their associated decoherence of individual subsystems are instrumental for dynamical changes in the quantum entanglement of the composite quantum state vector and manifested correlations of different observable outcomes. Thus, fast decoherence timescales could assist cognitive binding through quantum entanglement across extensive neural networks in the brain cortex.

Bifurcation of Gap Solitons in Coupled Mode Equations in d Dimensions

We consider a system of first order coupled mode equations in $${\mathbb {R}}^d$$ R d describing the envelopes of wavepackets in nonlinear periodic media. Under the assumptions of a spectral gap and a generic assumption on the dispersion relation at the spectral edge, we prove the bifurcation of standing gap solitons of the coupled mode equations from the zero solution. The proof is based on a Lyapunov–Schmidt decomposition in Fourier variables and a nested Banach fixed point argument. The reduced bifurcation equation is a perturbed stationary nonlinear Schrödinger equation. The existence of solitary waves follows in a symmetric subspace thanks to a spectral stability result. A numerical example of gap solitons in $${\mathbb {R}}^2$$ R 2 is provided.