Second-order fermionic interference with independent photons

The experimental study of second-order interference with fermions is much more difficult than that with bosons. Inspired by the conclusion that the behavior of two identical classical particles has exactly half fermionic and half bosonic characteristics [Phys. Rev. A 88, 012130 (2013)], we have studied the second-order interference of fermions via the second-order interference of photons in Hanbury Brown-Twiss and Hong-Ou-Mandel interferometers, respectively. The experimental results are consistent with the theoretical predictions, which may serve as guidance for future interference experiments with fermions. The employed method offers an interesting and convenient way to study the coherence of fermions.