We propose a method for the generation of a large variety of entangled states, encoded in the polarization degrees of freedom of $N$ photons, within the same experimental setup. Starting with uncorrelated photons, emitted from $N$ arbitrary single-photon sources, and using linear optical tools only, we demonstrate the creation of all symmetric states (e.g., GHZ and $W$ states), as well as all symmetric and nonsymmetric total angular momentum eigenstates of the $N$-qubit compound.

• Received 30 November 2009

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.81.053842