The capability to generate and manipulate quantum states in high-dimensional Hilbert spaces is a crucial step for the development of quantum technologies, from quantum communication to quantum computation. One-dimensional quantum walk dynamics represents a valid tool in the task of engineering arbitrary quantum states. Here we affirm such potential in a linear-optics platform that realizes discrete-time quantum walks in the orbital angular momentum degree of freedom of photons. Different classes of relevant qudit states in a six-dimensional space are prepared and measured, confirming the feasibility of the protocol. Our results represent a further investigation of quantum walk dynamics in photonics platforms, paving the way for the use of such a quantum state-engineering toolbox for a large range of applications.
@article{arxiv.1808.08875,
title = {Experimental engineering of arbitrary qudit states with discrete-time quantum walks},
author = {Taira Giordani and Emanuele Polino and Sabrina Emiliani and Alessia Suprano and Luca Innocenti and Helena Majury and Lorenzo Marrucci and Mauro Paternostro and Alessandro Ferraro and Nicolò Spagnolo and Fabio Sciarrino},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1808.08875},
year = {2019}
}