title: Experimentally accessing the optimal temporal mode of traveling quantum light states.
abstract: The characterization or subsequent use of a propagating optical quantum state requires the knowledge of its precise temporal mode. Defining this mode structure very often relies on a detailed a priori knowledge of the used resources, when available, and can additionally call for an involved theoretical modeling. In contrast, here we report on a practical method enabling us to infer the optimal temporal mode directly from experimental data acquired via homodyne detection, without any assumptions on the state. The approach is based on a multimode analysis using eigenfunction expansion of the autocorrelation function. This capability is illustrated by experimental data from the preparation of Fock states and coherent state superposition.
authors: Laboratoire Kastler Brossel, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, CNRS, 4 Place Jussieu, 75252 Paris Cedex 05, France.
authors: Olivier
authors: O
authors: Morin
authors: Claude
authors: C
authors: Fabre
authors: Julien
authors: J
authors: Laurat