Accurate and precise characterization of linear optical interferometers

Abstract

We combine single- and two-photon interference procedures for characterizing any multi-port linear optical interferometer accurately and precisely. Accuracy is achieved by estimating and correcting systematic errors that arise due to spatiotemporal and polarization mode mismatch. Enhanced accuracy and precision are attained by fitting experimental coincidence data to curve simulated using measured source spectra. We employ bootstrapping statistics to quantify the resultant degree of precision. A scattershot approach is devised to effect a reduction in the experimental time required to characterize the interferometer. The efficacy of our characterization procedure is verified by numerical simulations.

Updated to published version v2. We add numerical evidence for accuracy and precision of our procedure. Code and data used to generate plots (in Figures 9 and 10) is available at https://github.com/ishdhand/Simulation-of-characterization-procedure . 38 pages including appendices, 12 figures, 8 algorithms