Engineering spatial correlations of entangled photon pairs by pump beam shaping

The ability to engineer the properties of quantum optical states is essential for quantum information processing applications. Here, we demonstrate tunable control of spatial correlations between photon pairs produced by spontaneous parametric down-conversion, and measure them using an electron multiplying charge coupled device (EMCCD) camera. By shaping the spatial pump beam profile in a type-I collinear configuration, we tailor the spatial structure of coincidences between photon pairs entangled in high dimensions without effect on intensity. The results highlight fundamental aspects of spatial coherence and hold potential for the development of quantum technologies based on high-dimensional spatial entanglement. (C) 2021 Optical Society of America

Automated summary

This study demonstrates tunable control of spatial correlations between photon pairs in order to engineer the properties of quantum optical states, measured using an EMCCD camera. By shaping the spatial pump beam profile, the spatial structure of entangled photon pairs in high dimensions was tailored without affecting intensity, holding potential for quantum technologies based on high-dimensional spatial entanglement.