We prove that universal quantum computation can be realized---using only linear optics and $\chi^{ (2)}$ (three-wave mixing) interactions---in any $(n+1)$-dimensional qudit basis of the $n$-pump-photon subspace. First, we exhibit a strictly universal gate set for the qubit basis in the one-pump-photon subspace. Next, we demonstrate qutrit-basis universality by proving that $\chi^{ (2)}$ Hamiltonians and photon-number operators generate the full $\mathfrak{ u}(3)$ Lie algebra in the two-pump-photon subspace, and showing how the qutrit controlled-$Z$ gate can be implemented with only linear optics and $\chi^{ (2)}$ interactions. We then use proof by induction to obtain our general qudit result. Our induction proof relies on coherent photon injection/subtraction, a technique enabled by $\chi^{ (2)}$ interaction between the encoding modes and ancillary modes. Finally, we show that coherent photon injection is more than a conceptual tool in that it offers a route to preparing high-photon-number Fock states from single-photon Fock states.
Categories: quant-ph