Gaussian mode coupling of spectrally broadband photons from bulk spontaneous parametric down-conversion: A spatial-spectral mode analysis of fiber coupling

• URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2602.23238v1
• Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2026 17:13:11 GMT
• Title: Gaussian mode coupling of spectrally broadband photons from bulk spontaneous parametric down-conversion: A spatial-spectral mode analysis of fiber coupling
• Authors: Carlos Sevilla-Gutiérrez, Varun Raj Kaipalath, Fabian Steinlechner,
• Abstract summary: Photon sources based on spontaneous parametric down-conversion are central to experimental quantum optics and quantum technologies.<n>We show how spectral-spatial non-separability impacts collection probability, heralding efficiency, and purity in SPDC emission.<n>This framework provides a quantitative and predictive framework for understanding and engineering bulk-crystal photon sources.
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• License: http://arxiv.org/licenses/nonexclusive-distrib/1.0/
• Abstract: Photon sources based on spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) are central to experimental quantum optics and quantum technologies. Their performance is commonly quantified by three metrics: pair-collection probability, heralding efficiency, and spectral purity. In bulk-crystal SPDC, these metrics are known to be mutually constrained, yet the physical origin of the resulting trade-offs is often obscured. We show that these trade-offs originate from the frequency-dependent population of discrete spatial modes in the SPDC emission. By performing a Laguerre-Gauss mode decomposition at each frequency component, we show how spectral-spatial non-separability impacts collection probability, heralding efficiency, and purity. We apply this framework to two widely used quasi-phase-matching configurations: collinear degenerate type-0 and type-II SPDC in periodically poled bulk crystals, and quantify how different phase-matching functions shape the spectral-spatial mode structure. In particular, for type-II SPDC we compare standard periodically poled and aperiodically poled Gaussian phase matching. We experimentally validate some of our theoretical results using spatial- and spectral-projection measurements. This spectral-spatial mode analysis provides a quantitative and predictive framework for understanding and engineering bulk-crystal photon sources, enabling systematic multi-parameter optimization beyond qualitative design guidelines.

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