Controllable Quantum Interference from Two-Photon Scattershot Sources

Abstract: We describe a multi-mode passive linear optical network which emulates the two-photon number statistics of a beam splitter, irrespective on where the two photons enter the network. This is done by firstly defining general properties that the generator of the network matrix must fulfil. We then show that the network's effective transmission coefficient can be freely set to replicate either the absence of coincidence counts (i.e. the Hong-Ou-Mandel dip), or a 100% coincidence rate, as well as all possible two-photon beam splitter statistics between these two extremal points. Finally, we demonstrate that this network, in comparison to simpler systems, provides a better sampling rate and other resource advantages.