We report on the generation of continuous-variable hyperentanglement of polarization and orbital angular momentum with a type II optical parametric oscillator. By compensating for the astigmatism between spatial modes, we produce an entangled pair of Hermite-Gauss beams. From correlations measurements, we verify the existence of continuous-variable hyperentanglement by the general entanglement criterion as well as by the continuous-variable version of the Peres-Horodecki criterion visualized on an equivalent Poincaré sphere.

As a highly entangled quantum network, the cluster state has the potential for greater information capacity and use in measurement-based quantum computation. Here, we report generating a continuous-variable quadripartite “square” cluster state of multiplexing orthogonal spatial modes in a single optical parametric amplifier (OPA), and further improve the quality of entanglement by optimizing the pump profile. We produce multimode entanglement of two first-order Hermite–Gauss modes within one beam in a single multimode OPA and transform it into a cluster state by phase correction. Furthermore, the pump-profile dependence of the entanglement of this state is explored. Compared with fundamental mode pumping, an enhancement of approximately 33% is achieved using the suitable pump-profile mode. Our approach is potentially scalable to multimode entanglement in the spatial domain. Such spatial cluster states may contribute to future schemes in spatial quantum information processing.

Multipartite entanglement is used for quantum information applications, such as building multipartite quantum communications. Generally, generation of multipartite entanglement is based on a complex beam-splitter network. Here, based on the spatial freedom of light, we experimentally demonstrated spatial quadripartite continuous variable entanglement among first-order Hermite–Gaussian modes using a single type II optical parametric oscillator operating below threshold with an ${\mathrm{HG}}_{02}^{45°}$ pump beam. The entanglement can be scalable for larger numbers of spatial modes by changing the spatial profile of the pump beam. In addition, spatial multipartite entanglement will be useful for future spatial multichannel quantum information applications.

Nonclassical beams in high order spatial modes have attracted much interest but they exhibit much less squeezing and entanglement than the fundamental spatial modes, limiting their applications. We experimentally demonstrate the relation between pump modes and entanglement of first-order Hermite Gauss modes (HG₁₀ entangled states) in a type II OPO and show that the maximum entanglement of high order spatial modes can be obtained by optimizing the pump spatial mode. To our knowledge, this is the first time to report this. Utilizing the optimal pump mode, the HG₁₀ mode threshold can be reached easily without HG₀₀ oscillation and HG₁₀ entanglement is enhanced by 53.5% over HG₀₀ pumping. The technique is broadly applicable to entanglement generation in high order modes.

The use of optical sensing for in vivo applications is compelling, since it offers the advantages of non-invasiveness, non-ionizing radiation, and real-time monitoring. However, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the optical signal deteriorates dramatically as the biological tissue increases. Although increasing laser power can improve the SNR, intense lasers can severely disturb biological processes and viability. Quantum sensing with bright squeezed light can make the measurement sensitivity break through the quantum noise limit under weak laser conditions. A bright squeezed light source is demonstrated to avoid the deterioration of SNR and biological damage, which integrates an external cavity frequency-doubled laser, a semi-monolithic standing cavity with periodically poled titanyl phosphate (PPKTP), and a balanced homodyne detector (BHD) assembled on a dedicated breadboard. With the rational design of the mechanical elements, the optical layout, and the feedback control equipment, a maximum non-classical noise reduction of −10.7 ± 0.2 dB is observed. The average squeeze of −10 ± 0.2 dB in continuous operation for 60 min is demonstrated. Finally, the intracavity loss of degenerate optical parametric amplifier (DOPA) and the initial bright squeezed light can be calculated to be 0.0021 and −15.5 ± 0.2 dB, respectively. Through the above experimental and theoretical analysis, the direction of improving bright squeeze level is pointed out.

We demonstrate experimentally a measurement scheme for the Stokes operators for the continuous-variable squeezed states of orbital angular momentum (OAM). An OAM squeezed state is generated by coupling a dim Hermite-Gauss HG₀₁-mode quadrature-squeezed light beam with a bright HG₁₀-mode coherent light beam on a 98/2 beam splitter. Using an asymmetric Mach–Zehnder interferometer with an extra Dove prism in one arm, we measured the three orbital Stokes operators of the OAM squeezed states with a self-homodyne detection and finally characterized their positions and noise on the orbital Poincaré sphere.