Microring resonator-based photonic circuit for faithfully heralding NOON states

Abstract

We have designed a Micro-Ring Resonator (MRR) based device that allows for the post-selection of high order NOON states via heralding. NOON states higher than $N=2$ cannot be generated deterministically. By tuning the coupling parameters of the device we can minimize the amplitudes of the 'accidental' states to maximize the probability of obtaining the NOON state upon a successful heralding event. Our device can produce a 3-photon NOON state output with 100% certainty upon a successful heralding detection, which occurs with probability $\frac{8}{27}$ for optimal tunable device parameters. A successful heralding event allows for non-destructive time of flight tracking of the NOON state thus establishing a significantly enhanced level of engineering control for integration of the NOON state into scalable systems for quantum sensing and metrology. We further discuss extensions of our technique to even higher NOON states having $N=4,5$.