Photon Number States via Iterated Photon Addition in a Loop

Abstract

We consider the probabilistic generation of time-bin photon number states from a train of single-photon pulses. We propose a simple interferometric feedback loop setup having a beam splitter and a possibly non-ideal detector. This Hong–Ou–Mandel-type scheme implements iterated photon additions. Our detailed study shows that up to four photons this simple setup can provide reasonable success probabilities and fidelities.

Keywords

• time-bin photon modes
• Hong Ou–Mandel interference
• nonclassical states of light