Polarization effects in nonlinear interference of down-converted photons

We study polarization effects in the nonlinear interference of photons generated via frequency nondegenerate spontaneous parametric-down conversion. Signal and idler photons, which are generated in the visible and infrared (IR) range, respectively, are split into different arms of a nonlinear Michel...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Paterova, Anna, Yang, Hongzhi, An, Chengwu, Kalashnikov, Dmitry, Krivitsky, Leonid
Other Authors: School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: 2019
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10356/105907
http://hdl.handle.net/10220/47887
http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OE.27.002589
Description
Summary:We study polarization effects in the nonlinear interference of photons generated via frequency nondegenerate spontaneous parametric-down conversion. Signal and idler photons, which are generated in the visible and infrared (IR) range, respectively, are split into different arms of a nonlinear Michelson interferometer, and the interference pattern for signal photons is detected. Due to the effect of induced coherence, the interference pattern for the signal photons depends on the polarization rotation of idler photons, which are introduced by a birefringent sample. Based on this concept, we realize two new methods of measuring sample retardation in the IR range by using well-developed and inexpensive components for visible light. The methods’ accuracy reaches specifications that are reported for industrial-grade optical elements. The developed IR polarimetry technique is relevant to material research, optical inspection, and quality control.