Distinguishability theory for time-resolved photodetection and boson sampling

Abstract: We study distinguishability of photons in multiphoton interference on a multiport when fast detectors, capable of precise time resolution, are employed. Such a setup was previously suggested for experimental realization of boson sampling with single photons. We investigate if fast photodetection allows to circumvent distinguishability of realistic single photons in mixed states. To this goal we compare distinguishability of photons in two setups: (a) with photons in the same average (temporal) profile on a spatial interferometer and photodetection incapable of (or with strongly imprecise) time resolution and (b) with photons in generally different average temporal profiles on the same spatial interferometer and photodetection with precise time resolution. Exact analytical results are obtained for Gaussian-shaped single photons with Gaussian distribution of photon arrival time. Distinguishability of photons in the two setups is found to be strikingly similar. For the same purity of photon states, only the same quality experimental boson sampling can be achieved using either of the two setups. The upshot of our results is that distinguishability due to mixed states is an intrinsic property of photons, whatever the photodetection scheme.