Quantum interference of two independent particles in pure quantum states is fully described by the particles’ distinguishability: the closer the particles are to being identical, the higher the degree of quantum interference. When more than two particles are involved, the situation becomes more complex and interference capability extends beyond pairwise distinguishability, taking on a surprisingly rich character. In this talk, I will present recent experiments on many-particle interference using three photons. I will show that the distinguishability between pairs of photons is not sufficient to fully describe the photons’ behaviour in a scattering process, but that a collective phase, the triad phase, plays a role. Further, I will show how interference in multiport splitters can be used to generate entangled states.
