Is there a generator of entangled photons with fixed polarization?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the possibility of generating entangled photons with fixed polarization. Participants explore theoretical implications, practical challenges, and the relationship between entanglement and polarization states, with a focus on implications for computer simulations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether a generator of entangled photons with fixed polarization exists or if it is theoretically possible, citing a need for this knowledge for computer simulations.
  • Another participant suggests that while state preparation can be theoretically flexible, practical implementation may be challenging.
  • A participant references spontaneous parametric down-conversion and expresses initial belief in the possibility of such a generator, but later acknowledges that entangled photons typically do not have definite polarization.
  • Discussion includes the no-communication theorem, which states that shared entanglement cannot be used to transmit information, and contrasts it with the no-teleportation theorem.
  • Some participants assert that it is contradictory for particles to be both polarization entangled and have fixed polarization, emphasizing that entangled particles exist in superposition until measured.
  • There is a debate regarding the interpretation of diagrams related to entangled photons, with some participants arguing that the majority of cases do not yield entangled photons.
  • Mathematical reasoning is presented regarding the equivalence of superpositions in different polarization bases, with discussions on vector addition and transformations.
  • Clarifications are made about the nature of entangled photons in specific polarization states, with some participants asserting that knowledge of polarization is limited to perpendicular states.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility of generating entangled photons with fixed polarization. While some assert it is impossible due to the nature of entanglement, others propose that it may be achievable under certain conditions, leading to an unresolved debate.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in understanding the implications of entanglement and polarization, as well as the dependence on specific definitions and interpretations of diagrams. There are also unresolved mathematical steps regarding superposition and transformations.

prokopcio
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Hello everyone!
I don't know where to look for information - maybe here it will work :)

Is there a generator of entangled photons with fixed polarization?
If not, is it theoretically possible to build or is it against the laws of physics.

345011239_1613801935773759_6226039408254900848_n.png

I need this knowledge for further computer simulations.
Unfortunately, no one can answer this question for me :(

Can you help me?
Lukasps.AI chat (GPT) told me that such generators exist but I'm not sure how he would know about it :)
 
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Theoretically, you can make the state preparation whatever you like. It might not be easy to implement in reality, but experimentalist can be quite clever!
 
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Tkanks, for reply.

here :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spontaneous_parametric_down-conversion

i found it :
800px-SPDC_figure.png

This suggests to me that it is possible.

But !!!

According to my computer simulations, such a device can be easily used to send information at superluminal speed, which is ruled out by the fundamental laws of physics.

I can present my simulations here, maybe someone will point out where I am making a mental error.

EDIT :
now I see that the entangled photons in this picture have no definite polarization. My oversight.
So... still waiting for reply if is posible it with definite polarisation ( i think that not ).
 
Have you considered the no communication theorem?

The no-communication theorem thus says shared entanglement alone cannot be used to transmit any information. Compare this with the no-teleportation theorem, which states a classical information channel cannot transmit quantum information. (By transmit, we mean transmission with full fidelity.) However, quantum teleportation schemes utilize both resources to achieve what is impossible for either alone.
 
Yes, I am well aware of this theorem.
I directly agree, which is why I thought such entanglement was impossible.
Still, many people try to use entanglement indirectly.
Me too :).
 
prokopcio said:
Is there a generator of entangled photons with fixed polarization?
If not, is it theoretically possible to build or is it against the laws of physics.

Regardless of how you might interpret the previous comments:

It is an absolute contradiction of terms for a pair of particles to be polarization entangled AND have a fixed polarization. If particles are polarization entangled, they are in a superposition of polarization states - and therefore have no specific polarization value until they are measured.

Yes, it is possible to have a pair of particles that are entangled and have fixed polarization values. There are a variety of ways do accomplish this with crystals (similar to your diagram in post #3). However, such pairs are NOT polarization entangled.
 
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prokopcio said:
This suggests to me that it is possible.
No, it doesn't. You are misinterpreting the diagram. What the diagram is actually saying is that, in the vast majority of cases, the two photons are not entangled. But, in a small minority of cases, where the two photons come out along the lines labeled "entangled photons", then they are entangled--and neither of them have definite polarizations (all you know is that the polarizations are perpendicular).
 
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DrChinese said:
Regardless of how you might interpret the previous comments:

It is an absolute contradiction of terms for a pair of particles to be polarization entangled AND have a fixed polarization. If particles are polarization entangled, they are in a superposition of polarization states - and therefore have no specific polarization value until they are measured.
It's what i needed , now all is clear and i know where was my important knowledge gaps....
Thank You !!!

One question more if can.... about this:
DrChinese said:
Yes, it is possible to have a pair of particles that are entangled and have fixed polarization values. There are a variety of ways do accomplish this with crystals (similar to your diagram in post #3). However, such pairs are NOT polarization entangled.
PeterDonis said:
You are misinterpreting the diagram. What the diagram is actually saying is that, in the vast majority of cases, the two photons are not entangled. But, in a small minority of cases, where the two photons come out along the lines labeled "entangled photons", then they are entangled--and neither of them have definite polarizations (all you know is that the polarizations are perpendicular).
yes, I wrote that I misunderstood it earlier. But the question is if in this particular case the 2 entangled photons are polarization entangled, but we know it's a vertical+horizontal superposition, I mean (0 degrees)+(90 degrees) and not e.g. +45 degrees -45 degrees.

I'm sorry, my english isn't good but hope that you understand my question.Thanks Again - You are the best !!!
 
If I add two vectors with 45 and -45 degrees of equal size I get horizontal polarization. If I subtract the -45 degrees from the 45 degrees I get vertical polarization. So superposition in horizontal and vertical equals superposition in 45 and -45 degrees, they are equivalent under the unitary transformation ## \frac{1}{\sqrt(2)} \begin{pmatrix}
1 & 1 \\
1 & -1
\end{pmatrix}##
There is such a transformation for any two directions with 90 degree direction difference.
 
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prokopcio said:
if in this particular case the 2 entangled photons are polarization entangled, but we know it's a vertical+horizontal superposition
No, you don't. All you know is that the polarizations are perpendicular.
 
  • #11
prokopcio said:
But the question is if in this particular case the 2 entangled photons are polarization entangled, but we know it's a vertical+horizontal superposition, I mean (0 degrees)+(90 degrees) and not e.g. +45 degrees -45 degrees.

I'm sorry, my english isn't good but hope that you understand my question.

Thanks Again - You are the best !!!

When a pair of those entangled photons are in a vertical/horizontal superposition, they are also in a superposition on all polarization bases. That would include +45 degrees and -45 degrees. Both @Structure seeker and @PeterDonis are also correct in their answers, each coming at your question from a slightly different perspective.
 
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  • #12
PeterDonis said:
All you know is that the polarizations are perpendicular.
It was clear "always".

For me todays reply is :

It's imposible to generate pair of photons with known polarizations...

Second learn is ( very good and simply explained by all of you ) :
0 and 90 = -45 and +45
i saw it difference before, now after calculation understand how it works.

Before talking to you, everything was exactly the same for me in the simulation, just a different point of view led me to a dead end.
 
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