Quantum state tomography of single photons in the spectral degree of freedom

Abstract

Quantum State Tomography (QST) of optical states is typically performed in the photon number degree of freedom, a procedure which is well understood and has been experimentally demonstrated. However, optical states have other degrees of freedom than just photon number, such as the spatial and temporal/spectral ones. Full characterization of photonic states requires state reconstruction in these additional degrees of freedom. In this paper we present a technique for performing QST of single photon states in the spectral degree of freedom. This is of importance, for example, in quantum information processing applications, which typically impose strict requirements on the purity and distinguishability of independently produced single photons. The described technique allows for full reconstruction of the spectral density matrix, allowing the purity and distinguishability of different sources to be readily calculated.