Single photons in an imperfect array of beam-splitters: Interplay between percolation, backscattering and transient localization

Abstract

Photons in optical networks can be used in multi-path interferometry and various quantum information processing and communication protocols. Large networks, however, are often not free from defects, which can appear randomly between the lattice sites and are caused either by production faults or deliberate introduction. In this work we present numerical simulations of the behaviour of a single photon injected into a regular lattice of beam-splitting components in the presence of defects that cause perfect backward reflections. We find that the photon dynamics is quickly dominated by the backscattering processes, and a small fraction of reflectors in the paths of the beam-splitting array strongly affects the percolation probability of the photon. We carefully examine such systems and show an interesting interplay between the probabilities of percolation, backscattering and temporary localization. We also discuss the sensitivity of these probabilities to lattice size, timescale, injection point, fraction of reflectors and boundary conditions.

6 pages, 8 figures. Published version

References in corpus (6)

• Silica-on-Silicon Waveguide Quantum Circuits
• Quantum walks of correlated particles
• Photonic Boson Sampling in a Tunable Circuit
• Shor's quantum factoring algorithm on a photonic chip
• Multimode quantum interference of photons in multiport integrated devices
• High-fidelity operation of quantum photonic circuits

Cited by in corpus (5)

• Discrete time quantum walks on percolation graphs
• Quantum percolation in quasicrystals using continuous-time quantum walk
• Complete classification of trapping coins for quantum walks on the 2D square lattice
• Quantum walk-based protocol for secure communication between any two directly connected nodes on a network
• Quantum random walks on a beam splitter array