Continuous-variable multipartite entanglement is a key resource for quantum technologies. This paper considers the multipartite entanglement generated in separated spatial modes of the same light beam by three different parametric sources: a standard ${\chi }^{\left(2\right)}$ medium pumped by two pumps, a single-pump nonlinear photonic crystal, and a doubly pumped nonlinear photonic crystal. These sources have in common the coexistence of several concurrent nonlinear processes in the same medium, which allows the generation of nonstandard three- and four-mode couplings. We test the genuine nature of the multipartite entangled states thereby generated in a common framework, using criteria based both on proper bounds for the variances of nonlocal observables and on the positive partial transpose criterion. The relative simplicity of these states allows a (hopefully) useful comparison of the different inseparability tests.

• Received 19 May 2021
• Accepted 9 November 2021

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.104.052430