Multiparameter cascaded quantum interferometer

Abstract

We theoretically propose a multiparameter cascaded quantum interferometer in which a two-input and two-output setup is obtained by concatenating 50:50 beam splitters with $n$ independent and adjustable time delays. A general method for deriving the coincidence probability of such an interferometer is given based on the linear transformation of the matrix of beam splitters. As examples, we analyze the interference characteristics of one-, two- and three-parameter cascaded quantum interferometers with different frequency correlations and input states. Some typical interferograms of such interferometers are provided to reveal richer and more complicated two-photon interference phenomena. This work offers a general theoretical framework for designing versatile quantum interferometers and provides a convenient method for deriving the coincidence probabilities involved. In principle, arbitrary two-input and two-output experimental setups can be designed with the framework. Potential applications can be found in the complete spectral characterization of two-photon states, multiparameter estimation, and quantum metrology.