Generation of a highly phase sensitive polarization squeezed N-photon state by collinear parametric downconversion and coherent photon subtraction

Abstract

It is shown that a highly phase sensitive polarization squeezed (2n-1)-photon state can be generated by subtracting a diagonally polarized photon from the 2n photon component generated in collinear type II downconversion. This polarization wedge state has the interesting property that its photon number distribution in the horizontal and vertical polarizations remains sharply defined for phase shifts of up to 1/n between the circularly polarized components. Phase shifts at the Heisenberg limit are therefore observed as nearly deterministic transfers of a single photon between the horizontal and vertical polarization components.

7 pages, including 5 figures, improved explanation of interferometry (one new figure)