Universal linear optics

TLDR

Complex quantum optical circuitry that encodes and manipulates single‑photon states offers a platform for quantum computing and communication. The authors fabricated a reconfigurable integrated waveguide device in a glass chip that implements universal linear‑optics transformations on six waveguides via 15 individually programmable Mach‑Zehnder interferometers. The device’s reprogrammable architecture performs well across multiple optical and quantum‑optics applications, demonstrating its versatility. Carolan et al.

Abstract

Complex quantum optical circuitry Encoding and manipulating information in the states of single photons provides a potential platform for quantum computing and communication. Carolan et al. developed a reconfigurable integrated waveguide device fabricated in a glass chip (see the Perspective by Rohde and Dowling). The device allowed for universal linear optics transformations on six wave-guides using 15 integrated Mach-Zehnder interferometers, each of which was individually programmable. Functional performance in a number of applications in optics and quantum optics demonstrates the versatility of the device's reprogrammable architecture. Science , this issue p. 711 ; see also p. 696