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Multiphoton interference outperforms pairwise overlaps for distinguishability characterization
S. N. van den Hoven, M. C. Anguita, S. Marzban, J. J. Renema·December 4, 2025
Quantum Physics
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Abstract
We propose a protocol that characterizes the pairwise overlaps of the internal modes of single photons more efficiently than pairwise Hong-Ou-Mandel characterization experiments. This protocol exploits multiphoton interference. We experimentally implement this protocol to characterize three photons. We show that our implementation of the characterization protocol outperforms the pairwise Hong-Ou-Mandel characterization, even if the Hong-Ou-Mandel characterization would have been performed in a noiseless, perfect experiment. We demonstrate this via the Fisher information matrix.