A Framework for Fully Programmable Frequency-Encoded Quantum Networks Harnessing Multioutput Quantum Pulse Gates

Linear optical quantum networks, consisting of a quantum input state and a multiport interferometer, are an important building block for many quantum technological concepts, e.g., Gaussian boson sampling. Here, we propose the implementation of such networks based on frequency conversion by utilizing a so-called multioutput quantum pulse gate (MQPG). This approach allows the resource-efficient and therefore scalable implementation of frequency-bin-based, fully programmable interferometers in a single spatial and polarization mode. Quantum input states for this network can be provided by utilizing the strong frequency entanglement of a type-0 parametric down-conversion (PDC) source. Here, we develop a theoretical framework to describe linear networks based on an MQPG and PDC and utilize it to investigate the limits and scalabilty of our approach. Published by the American Physical Society 2024