- Correlations between photons are interesting for a number of applications and concepts in metrology, in particular for resolution improvements in different methods of quantum imaging. We demonstrate the application of a blazed grating for the characterization of the degree of spatial correlation of biphotons. The biphotons are generated by type II parametric downconversion. Compared to an ordinary transmission grating, a blazed grating shows a high diffraction efficiency only for a single order of diffraction. Thus, higher intensities in the Fraunhofer far field behind the grating, and easier photon counting, can be achieved. The distribution of the two-photon rate in the Fraunhofer far field of the blazed grating can show one additional order of diffraction with a visibility related to the degree of correlation of the biphotons. The number of spatial modes that are populated by the biphoton beam can be directly altered in our experiments. The relation of the spatial mode order of the photon propagation to the observable degree ofCorrelations between photons are interesting for a number of applications and concepts in metrology, in particular for resolution improvements in different methods of quantum imaging. We demonstrate the application of a blazed grating for the characterization of the degree of spatial correlation of biphotons. The biphotons are generated by type II parametric downconversion. Compared to an ordinary transmission grating, a blazed grating shows a high diffraction efficiency only for a single order of diffraction. Thus, higher intensities in the Fraunhofer far field behind the grating, and easier photon counting, can be achieved. The distribution of the two-photon rate in the Fraunhofer far field of the blazed grating can show one additional order of diffraction with a visibility related to the degree of correlation of the biphotons. The number of spatial modes that are populated by the biphoton beam can be directly altered in our experiments. The relation of the spatial mode order of the photon propagation to the observable degree of spatial correlation of the biphotons is investigated and related to the Schmidt number of spatially entangled modes.…
