First Advisor
Andres La Rosa
Date of Award
6-2014
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Physics and University Honors
Department
Physics
Subjects
Quantum entanglement, Quantum theory, Superposition principle (Physics) Surface plasmon resonance
DOI
10.15760/honors.474
Abstract
Quantum entanglement has been a topic of much research in modern physics, and an application in quantum computing is envisioned. This thesis address the use of polarization entangled photon pairs produced by spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) in entanglement transfer process and quantum computing. The simplicity of SPDC entanglement relative to other quantum phenomena is first emphasized by developing a complete classical theory of the photon-crystal interactions characteristic of SPDC. The methods of achieving polarization superposition via the Type-I and Type-II SPDC are described. A combination of superposition and polarization correlation between down-converted photons is shown to violate Bell’s inequality, thus revealing the entangled nature of the photon pairs. Finally, the possibility of controlling entangled photons through the manipulation of surface plasmons is highlighted as a way to transfer entanglement from photons to material particles.
Rights
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Persistent Identifier
http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/21714
Recommended Citation
Catalano, Jesse, "Spontaneous Parametric Down-Conversion and Quantum Entanglement" (2014). University Honors Theses. Paper 474.
https://doi.org/10.15760/honors.474