Do Signal and Idler Photons from PDC Always Share Equal Energy?

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SUMMARY

The discussion clarifies that the signal and idler photons generated by Parametric Down-Conversion (PDC) do not always possess equal energy, even in the rest frame of the nonlinear crystal. While they are typically close in energy, the output is governed by conservation of energy, resulting in a distribution of output frequencies. The sum of the output frequencies equals the input frequency, confirming that variations in energy levels are permissible within the PDC process. A reference to the "Entangled photon apparatus for the undergraduate laboratory" illustrates this spread in output wavelengths.

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Do the two photons (signal and idler) created by PDC always have equal energy?
(Of course, it depends on the Lorentz frame, but I mean in the frame in which the nonlinear crystal is at rest.)
 
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Demystifier said:
Do the two photons (signal and idler) created by PDC always have equal energy?
(Of course, it depends on the Lorentz frame, but I mean in the frame in which the nonlinear crystal is at rest.)

They are close to equal, but that is not a requirement of the PDC crystal output stream. It actually follows conservation of energy (you would expect that) and there is a spread of outputs. (The sum of the output frequencies is equal to the input frequency.)

Here is a good reference that shows the spread of output wavelengths/frequencies in Figure 1:

Entangled photon apparatus for the undergraduate laboratory
 

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