Recurrent fourth-order interference dips and peaks with a comb-like two-photon entangled state

Abstract

We demonstrate full selective control over the constructive or destructive character of fourth-order recurring interferences in a modified version of a HOM interferometer using comb-like two-photon states. The comb spectral/temporal structure is obtained by inserting an etalon cavity in the signal path of an entangled photon pair obtained by pulsed spontaneous parametric down-conversion. Both a simple qualitative discussion and a complete theoretical derivation are used to explain and analyze the experimental data.

4 pages, 4 figures. Revised version, to appear in Physical Review A