Abstract
We introduce the concept of Shannon dimensionality as a new way to quantify bipartite entanglement as measured in an experiment. This is applied to orbital-angular-momentum entanglement of two photons, using two state analyzers composed of a rotatable angular-sector phase plate that is lens coupled to a single-mode fiber. We can deduce the value of directly from the observed two-photon coincidence fringe. In our experiment, varies between 2 and 6, depending on the experimental conditions. We predict how the Shannon dimensionality evolves when the number of angular sectors imprinted in the phase plate is increased and anticipate that is experimentally within reach.
- Received 14 March 2008
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.101.120502
©2008 American Physical Society