Hong-Ou-Mandel Interference
Quantum Physics
2025-07-10 v1
Abstract
This article is a detailed introduction to Hong-Ou-Mandel (HOM) interference, in which two photons interfere on a beamsplitter in a way that depends on the photons' distinguishability. We begin by considering distinguishability in the polarization degree of freedom. We then consider spectral distinguishability, and show explicitly how to calculate the HOM dip for three interesting cases: 1) photons with arbitrary spectral distributions, 2) spectrally entangled photons, and 3) spectrally mixed photons.
Cite
@article{arxiv.1711.00080,
title = {Hong-Ou-Mandel Interference},
author = {Agata M. Brańczyk},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1711.00080},
year = {2025}
}
Comments
Pedagogical resource. Expanded version of notes that were floating around on the internet. Comments/suggestions for future versions welcome. 17 pages, 8 figures