Interaction with a measuring apparatus can cause otherwise interfering paths of a particle to become distinguishable. Under some conditions, however, it is possible to ‘‘erase’’ the distinguishability, thereby restoring interference. The concept of a quantum eraser is useful for understanding the role of entanglement in interference. Several attempts to investigate the phenomenon have been made using the correlated photons from spontaneous parametric down-conversion. However, none of the experiments previously performed in connection with quantum erasure has provided an optimal demonstration. We propose three improved down-conversion schemes, each of which satisfies all the criteria for a true quantum eraser. As the proposed schemes are all modifications or combinations of previously completed experiments, they are deemed to be feasible.

• Received 9 June 1993

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.49.61