Flat-band lattices supporting compact localized states provide a versatile platform for exploring unconventional transport phenomena in photonic, ultracold atomic, electronic, and other systems. Here, we investigate the transport of path-entangled multiphoton NOON states in a flat-band rhombic lattice and observe intriguing localization-delocalization features that depend on both the phase and photon number of the NOON states. To experimentally emulate photon-number correlations, we develop an intensity correlation measurement protocol using coherent laser light with tunable relative phases. We first apply this protocol to show spatial bunching and antibunching of two-photon NOON states in a one-dimensional waveguide lattice. In the rhombic lattice, we show that for an even (odd) photon number $N$, localization occurs at the $0\left(\pi \right)$ phase of the NOON state with a probability of $2^{1-N}$, which is demonstrated up to eight photons. Our results open an exciting route toward understanding the dynamics of correlated photons in complex photonic networks.

Close

PrevNext

View figure in article

• Flat bands
• Imaging & optical processing
• Photon statistics
• Quantum transport
• Waveguide arrays
• Band structure methods
• Numerical techniques