Multiphoton non-local quantum interference controlled by an undetected photon

Kaiyi Qian, Kai Wang (), Leizhen Chen, Zhaohua Hou, Mario Krenn (), Shining Zhu and Xiao-song Ma ()
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Kaiyi Qian: Nanjing University
Kai Wang: Nanjing University
Leizhen Chen: Nanjing University
Zhaohua Hou: Nanjing University
Mario Krenn: Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light (MPL)
Shining Zhu: Nanjing University
Xiao-song Ma: Nanjing University

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Abstract The interference of quanta lies at the heart of quantum physics. The multipartite generalization of single-quanta interference creates entanglement, the coherent superposition of states shared by several quanta. Entanglement allows non-local correlations between many quanta and hence is a key resource for quantum information technology. Entanglement is typically considered to be essential for creating non-local quantum interference. Here, we show that this is not the case and demonstrate multiphoton non-local quantum interference that does not require entanglement of any intrinsic properties of the photons. We harness the superposition of the physical origin of a four-photon product state, which leads to constructive and destructive interference with the photons’ mere existence. With the intrinsic indistinguishability in the generation process of photons, we realize four-photon frustrated quantum interference. This allows us to observe the following noteworthy difference to quantum entanglement: We control the non-local multipartite quantum interference with a photon that we never detect, which does not require quantum entanglement. These non-local properties pave the way for the studies of foundations of quantum physics and potential applications in quantum technologies.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37228-y

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