Twisted photons: new quantum perspectives in high dimensions

Light Sci Appl. 2018 Mar 9:7:17146. doi: 10.1038/lsa.2017.146. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Twisted photons can be used as alphabets to encode information beyond one bit per single photon. This ability offers great potential for quantum information tasks, as well as for the investigation of fundamental questions. In this review article, we give a brief overview of the theoretical differences between qubits and higher dimensional systems, qudits, in different quantum information scenarios. We then describe recent experimental developments in this field over the past three years. Finally, we summarize some important experimental and theoretical questions that might be beneficial to understand better in the near future.

Keywords: entanglement; high-dimensional quantum systems; orbital-angular-momentum of photons; quantum communication.

Publication types

  • Review