https://phys.org/news/2023-08-visualizing-mysterious-quantum-entanglement-photons.amp August 21, 2023 7 * Physics * Optics & Photonics * Physics * Quantum Physics Editors' notes This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: fact-checked peer-reviewed publication trusted source proofread Ok! Visualizing the mysterious dance: Quantum entanglement of photons captured in real-time by University of Ottawa Biphoton state holographic reconstruction. Image reconstruction. a, Coincidence image of interference between a reference SPDC state and a state obtained by a pump beam with the shape of a Ying and Yang symbol (shown in the inset). The inset scale is the same as in the main plot. b, Reconstructed amplitude and phase structure of the image imprinted on the unknown pump. Credit: Nature Photonics (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41566-023-01272-3 x close Biphoton state holographic reconstruction. Image reconstruction. a, Coincidence image of interference between a reference SPDC state and a state obtained by a pump beam with the shape of a Ying and Yang symbol (shown in the inset). The inset scale is the same as in the main plot. b, Reconstructed amplitude and phase structure of the image imprinted on the unknown pump. Credit: Nature Photonics (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41566-023-01272-3 Researchers at the University of Ottawa, in collaboration with Danilo Zia and Fabio Sciarrino from the Sapienza University of Rome, recently demonstrated a novel technique that allows the visualization of the wave function of two entangled photons, the elementary particles that constitute light, in real-time. Using the analogy of a pair of shoes, the concept of entanglement can be likened to selecting a shoe at random. The moment you identify one shoe, the nature of the other (whether it is the left or right shoe) is instantly discerned, regardless of its location in the universe. However, the intriguing factor is the inherent uncertainty associated with the identification process until the exact moment of observation. The wave function, a central tenet in quantum mechanics, provides a comprehensive understanding of a particle's quantum state. For instance, in the shoe example, the "wave function" of the shoe could carry information such as left or right, the size, the color, and so on. More precisely, the wave function enables quantum scientists to predict the probable outcomes of various measurements on a quantum entity, e.g. position, velocity, etc. This predictive capability is invaluable, especially in the rapidly progressing field of quantum technology, where knowing a quantum state which is generated or input in a quantum computer will allow to test the computer itself. Moreover, quantum states used in quantum computing are extremely complex, involving many entities that may exhibit strong non-local correlations (entanglement). Knowing the wave function of such a quantum system is a challenging task--this is also known as quantum state tomography or quantum tomography in short. With the standard approaches (based on the so-called projective operations), a full tomography requires large number of measurements that rapidly increases with the system's complexity (dimensionality). Previous experiments conducted with this approach by the research group showed that characterizing or measuring the high-dimensional quantum state of two entangled photons can take hours or even days. Moreover, the result's quality is highly sensitive to noise and depends on the complexity of the experimental setup. The projective measurement approach to quantum tomography can be thought of as looking at the shadows of a high-dimensional object projected on different walls from independent directions. All a researcher can see is the shadows, and from them, they can infer the shape (state) of the full object. For instance, in CT scan (computed tomography scan), the information of a 3D object can thus be reconstructed from a set of 2D images. In classical optics, however, there is another way to reconstruct a 3D object. This is called digital holography, and is based on recording a single image, called interferogram, obtained by interfering the light scattered by the object with a reference light. The team, led byEbrahim Karimi, Canada Research Chair in Structured Quantum Waves, co-director of uOttawa Nexus for Quantum Technologies (NexQT) research institute and associate professor in the Faculty of Science, extended this concept to the case of two photons. Reconstructing a biphoton state requires superimposing it with a presumably well-known quantum state, and then analyzing the spatial distribution of the positions where two photons arrive simultaneously. Imaging the simultaneous arrival of two photons is known as a coincidence image. These photons may come from the reference source or the unknown source. Quantum mechanics states that the source of the photons cannot be identified. This results in an interference pattern that can be used to reconstruct the unknown wave function. This experiment was made possible by an advanced camera that records events with nanosecond resolution on each pixel. Dr. Alessio D'Errico, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Ottawa and one of the co-authors of the paper, highlighted the immense advantages of this innovative approach, "This method is exponentially faster than previous techniques, requiring only minutes or seconds instead of days. Importantly, the detection time is not influenced by the system's complexity--a solution to the long-standing scalability challenge in projective tomography." The impact of this research goes beyond just the academic community. It has the potential to accelerate quantum technology advancements, such as improving quantum state characterization, quantum communication, and developing new quantum imaging techniques. The study "Interferometric imaging of amplitude and phase of spatial biphoton states" was published in Nature Photonics. More information: Danilo Zia et al, Interferometric imaging of amplitude and phase of spatial biphoton states, Nature Photonics (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41566-023-01272-3 Journal information: Nature Photonics Provided by University of Ottawa Feedback to editors Related Researchers provide comprehensive review of quantum teleportation Jun 13, 2023 Photonics experiment resolves quantum paradox Jul 5, 2023 Team boosts metropolitan quantum teleportation to hertz rate Jul 24, 2023 Quantum entanglement of photons doubles microscope resolution May 2, 2023 The best of both worlds: Combining classical and quantum systems to meet supercomputing demands Aug 12, 2021 The experimental realization of quantum overlapping tomography Feb 28, 2023 feature Recommended Research group detects a quantum entanglement wave for the first time using real-space measurements 7 hours ago Speckle diffraction tomography reveals nanoscale features in thick biological specimens 7 hours ago Scientists develop fermionic quantum processor 7 hours ago Advances in quantum emitters mark progress toward a quantum internet Aug 22, 2023 Physicists use a 350-year-old theorem to reveal new properties of light waves Aug 21, 2023 Physicists employ synthetic complex frequency waves to overcome optical loss in superlenses Aug 21, 2023 A new 'spin' on ergodicity breaking Aug 18, 2023 Load comments (7) James Webb Space Telescope survey reveals fewer supermassive black holes than presumed 2 hours ago Study shows deforestation limits nesting habitat for cavity-nesting birds 2 hours ago Longevity gene from naked mole rats extends lifespan of mice 2 hours ago Learning from viruses: Molecular fibers can help to introduce genetic material into cells 2 hours ago Research team leverages power of ribosomes to develop chemical libraries 2 hours ago Speaking hypothetically: Linguists explore how human language handles leaps from the here and now 2 hours ago Researchers target lifecycle of parasite behind Chagas disease 3 hours ago How a lone 'immigrant' wolf revived a forest ecosystem 3 hours ago New research suggests natural selection can slow evolution, maintain similarities across generations 3 hours ago Lessons in longevity from naked mole rats and bowhead whales 4 hours ago report New modeling method could drive better understanding of extreme heat waves 4 hours ago Get in touch * Contact us OUR Products * Tech Xplore * Medical Xpress * Science X Other Publications * Android app * iOS app * RSS feeds Extras * Help * FAQ Legal * About * Terms of use * Privacy policy * Science X Account * Premium Account * Newsletter * Archive (c) Phys.org 2003 - 2023 powered by Science X Network * Nanotechnology * Physics * Earth * Astronomy & Space * Chemistry * Biology * Other Sciences * [ ] * Favourites * Science X Account * Science X