Summary
Arrays of orbital angular momentum (OAM) states of light are a new form of structured light so far relatively unexplored in quantum information science. Unlike spin angular momentum of light, which is related to light’s polarization and covers two dimensions, OAM states, sometimes described as ‘donut beams’ due to the shape of the field intensity distribution in their cross section, are in principle an infinite dimensional system and can be used to carry much more information per photon. In this project, we generate arrays of entangled orbital angular momentum beams and explore the utility of the spatially entangled photons in quantum communication protocols, such as remote state preparation. In collaboration with Dmitry Pushin, David Cory, and Thomas Jennewein, we study the propagation of entangled OAM arrays and their self-imaging capabilities known as the Talbot Effect, which hold promise for developing a new method to measure OAM. As we learn to control the spatial patterns of these light beams we expect they may find application in sensing of periodic optical structures in materials.

Figure 1. Simulated and observed intensity distribution in orbital angular momentum arrays as they propagate over different fractional Talbot lengths
Related Content
Spin-transfer Torque Magnetic Random Access Memory for On-chip Spin Information Storage
Summary Leakage power in semiconductor memories, such as Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) and Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), can be substantial and is one of the limits for scalability of classical electronics. This is attributed to the fact that the information stored is volatile, requiring constant refreshing, as well as reprogramming upon powering […]
August 6, 2018

Plasmon Control of Quantum States in Semiconductor Nanocrystals
Summary Thanks to the light-induced collective oscillations of free charges at the boundary between a conducting material and a dielectric, known as surface plasmon resonance, metallic nanostructures can exhibit strong light absorption and scattering. The sensitivity of these resonances to the local environment and shape of the metallic structures allows them to be used, […]
March 21, 2018

Quantum Simulation of Strongly Coupled Field Theories
Strongly-coupled field theories describe both fundamental and applied quantum problems.
August 10, 2017
QuantumIon: an open-access quantum computing platform
Summary Trapped ions are one of the most advanced technologies for quantum computing, offering multi-qubit control in a universal quantum computing architecture and the ability to perform calculations with unprecedented precision. In this project we construct a shared trapped-ion quantum computing platform, QuantumIon, that will enable a broader and interdisciplinary scientific community to access an […]
September 9, 2019