What is Quantum optics: Definition and 100 Discussions

Quantum optics is a branch of atomic, molecular, and optical physics dealing with how individual quanta of light, known as photons, interact with atoms and molecules. It includes the study of the particle-like properties of photons. Photons have been used to test many of the counter-intuitive predictions of quantum mechanics, such as entanglement and teleportation, and are a useful resource for quantum information processing.

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  1. A. Neumaier

    Insights Vacuum Fluctuations in Experimental Practice - Comments

    A. Neumaier submitted a new PF Insights post Vacuum Fluctuations in Experimental Practice Continue reading the Original PF Insights Post.
  2. Muthumanimaran

    A Kraus Operator in Fock basis

    The Kraus operator is defined as, $$A_{k}(t)={\sum_{\{k_i\}}^{k}}'\langle\{k_i\}|U(t)|\{0\}\rangle$$ is given in eqn(5) in the [Arxiv link](https://arxiv.org/pdf/quant-ph/0407263.pdf) the matrix representation of $A_k(t)$ is given in eqn (7) as...
  3. M

    I Two single-photon Fock states vs one two-photon Fock state

    What is the difference between two single-photon Fock states ##|1\rangle |1\rangle## and one two-photon Fock state ##|2\rangle## (all in the same mode)? In both cases the mean photon number is 2. How do we distinguish them experimentally?
  4. physics_hp

    Photonic crystals as metamaterials

    Why do some photonic crystals show metamaterial property?
  5. P

    Courses Math Courses For Condensed Matter Theory or Quantum Optics

    What extra math courses should an undergrad take (or self-study) if they want to go into Quantum Optics or Condensed Matter theory? I've already taken calculus, linear algebra, ODEs, PDEs, and complex analysis (I will also be doing a second course on linear algebra in two months time).
  6. Raptor112

    A Optical Bistability and the Jaynes-Cummings Model

    I understand that otical bistability only occurs in a specific parameter regime defined by the bimodial leaf, but I have read that bistability originates from highly non linear dynamics of the system. As we are dealing with a qubit in a cavity that is being driven so things become non-trivial...
  7. Raptor112

    A Quantum Optics Question and Wigner Functions

    I understand that Wigner function is a quasi-probability distibution as it can take negative values, but in quantum optics I see that the Q function is mentioned as often. So what is the difference between the Q function and the Wigner Function?
  8. Raptor112

    A Dispersive Regime in Jaynes-Cummings Model

    From the reading I have done: In the presence of a drive, which is described by an addition term in the Jaynes-Cummings Hamiltonian, the Hamiltonian cannot be solved analytically. The dynamics of the system become non-trivial, with the behaviour depending on the specic parameter regime. So, the...
  9. P

    Undergraduate Math for Quantum Optics vs Particle Physics

    I'm halfway through my junior year and I'm hoping to do Quantum Optics or Particle Physics in graduate school (I'm doing the recommended courses for both since I'm still undecided). Besides the math required from the physics major (ie. Calculus, linear algebra, ODEs, PDEs, complex analysis)...
  10. L

    How to use the b&h tcspc in experments of quantum optics?

    Hi everyone, There is a b&h Time-Correlated Single Photon Counting (tcspc, spc-130) in our lab, and I use it for coincidence of spdc in quantum optics. Actually I know some about how it work, but when it comes to parameter setting of the software I know nothing. Recently, I read some paper...
  11. lfqm

    Fixed amplitude of electric field operator in quantum optics

    Hi guys, I'm trying to understand why does the amplitude of the electric field operator in a cavity is fixed at \left ( \displaystyle\frac{\hbar\omega}{\epsilon_{0}V} \right )^\frac{1}{2} Every book I read says it is a normalization factor... but, normalizing an operator?, what is the meaning...
  12. M

    Quantum Optics: 4-wave mixing

    Hi all, I've some questions for you which challenge my brain a lot! :nb) I'm dealing with a Photonic course and our professor introduced us a little bit of Non-Linear Optics. We spoke about Four-Wave-Mixing (4wm for brevity) and we said that when we shine a material with ##\chi ^{3}## with two...
  13. L

    What is the point to study Anti-bunching?

    I see lots of scientists study photon blockade and anti bunching effect. It confuses me so much that even though anti bunching and photon blocked are observed. But in what way the study of these two effects would affect any fields of our world, or the scientific research?
  14. L

    Unpacking the Physics Behind the Annihilator-Creator Operator Formula

    a In the formula above, on the left hand side, ρ(0) is a system's density operator in its initial state. a is the annihilator operator of the system, and a+ is the create operator of the system. ρss is the system's density operator in its steady state. But I don't understand why this formula...
  15. L

    About anti bunching and bunching

    Why the plots of a second-order intensity correlation function appear both Bunching and Antibunching? I thought only anti bunching would occur, because the system is a quantum-sized system and all the phenomena happened in a microscopic way. Why bunching effect still happens in a...
  16. K

    Spontaneous emission entropy

    Does entropy increase during spontaneous emission? If not, how is the information about the emitted photon mode encoded into the initial state of the atom (and/or environment)? If so, where does the extra information come from?
  17. J

    Photonic local density of states and field intensity

    Dear All: I'm very confusing with the relationship between photonic local density of states and the field intensity. In thermal equilibrium, the field intensity should be proportional to the photon's number (or squared) and also be proportional to the local density of states. We know that this...
  18. Konte

    Quantum treatment of nonlinear susceptibility

    Hi everybody, In Robert W. Boyd's book "Nonlinear Optics", the quantum treatment of the nonlinear optical susceptibility lead to the next expression, for the second order case: \chi^{(2)}_{ijk}(\omega_{\sigma},\omega_q,\omega_p)=\frac{N}{\hbar^2} P_F\sum_{mn}...
  19. K

    Light's orbital angular momentum

    I read this article, and I'm confused about several things. http://scitation.aip.org/content/aip/magazine/physicstoday/article/57/5/10.1063/1.1768672 Apparently, light can have orbital angular momentum as well as spin. But I don't see how this is possible, at least in vacuum. Is this in vacuum...
  20. J

    Photonic density of state in matter

    I'm a beginner in quantum optics. I always become confusing when the material's refractive index is complex. This time is about the photonic density of states. We know that if the material is not absorbing or dissipative, meaning the refractive index is a real number, the local photonic density...
  21. A

    Schools Quantum optics grad school for a ee major

    I'm a EE major with a senior design project/thesis on developing FPGA based counting module for Photon Coincidence and Correlation Experiments. It's an interesting mix of Electronics, Digital System Design and Experimental Quantum Optics. I've had a course in QM, and done research internships in...
  22. P

    Simulating Closed Timelike Curves through Quantum Optics

    This paper experimentally simulates Closed Timelike Curves (CTC) through quantum optics experiment. Since I have no experience/background in this, I found it hard to understand how exactly the CTC is implemented in the circuit. [Note: I do understand QM, so no need to explain this].
  23. djh101

    How difficult is quantum optics lab?

    I'm currently a chemistry major (senior), but I intend to go to graduate school for physics, so quantum optics lab would me more useful to me than materials chemistry lab. I emailed the physics counselor (since the class is restricted to physics majors) and she said that it would be to...
  24. T

    [Quantum Optics] Scully and Zubairy Section 6.2

    Homework Statement I've been reading through Quantum Optics by Scully and Zubairy and have been stuck in section 6.2 getting from the definition of the atomic inversion given by equation (6.2.20, pg 199) W(t)=\sum_{n}\left[|c_{a,n}(t)|^2-|c_{b,n}(t)|^2\right] to the atomic inversion for the...
  25. L

    Physics Italian Student Seeking Advice on Quantum Optics Thesis

    Hi! I'm an Italian student. I I would like to became an experimental quantum optics. In particular I'm interested in Bose-Einstein condensate. I must decide where do my thesis. Can sameone help me? Thank you so much.
  26. M

    Good Quantum Optics Books - Recommendations Needed

    I was wondering if anyone could suggest a good quantum optics book. I know Quantum at the liboff text level. I am not sure if the wolf and born texts are too advanced for me, since I do not have the book, and it has a reputation for intense mathematical rigor. I appreciate the recommendations.
  27. Spinnor

    What are some recommended free Quantum Optics PDFs for learning and reference?

    Searching for free Quantum Optic tutorials came up with the following. Any other suggestions? http://iftia9.univ.gda.pl/~sjk/QO-SK.pdf http://physics.stfx.ca/~pmarzlin/lectures/phys673-winter07/marzlin-phys673-2007.pdf http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/~jmjk/keeling/teaching/quantum-optics.pdf...
  28. K

    Quantum Optics fails to explain origin of natural line width?

    "Quantum Optics," by Scully and Zubairy, attempts to explain the natural line width of an emitting atomic ensemble (in a resonant cavity with leakage) using random spontaneous emission events of the atoms (which in turn is due to interactions with the vacuum field). The basic idea and...
  29. Cthugha

    Peculiarities of photons in quantum optics

    I would like to open this new topic to continue discussions on single photons which turned up in several other topics, but were a bit out of place there. So here the discussion continues. The first two quotes were basically about coincidence counting, photon statistics and the HBT-experiment...
  30. I

    Books for tackling articles in Cavity QED and Quantum Optics

    Hi, I am a graduate student with a background more oriented in high energy physics and cosmology but switching to light and matter interaction, more specifically cavity QED and quantum optics. I need to have a working knowledge on those topics, being able to read state of the art articles and...
  31. M

    Should I Take Quantum Optics This Fall?

    I had a discussion with a professor and it was suggested that I take Quantum Optics this coming fall. I already have a full course load with 3 physics classes (Electrodynamics, Modern Physics (general), and math for physicists) and one required course (comparative religions). It was suggested...
  32. K

    Phase operator in quantum optics

    I recently got interested in some aspects of quantum optics and have a basic question. There is an uncertainty relation concerning the phase and the particle number of a mode. How is this phase observable defined? Where can I read about such basic concepts without dwelling deeply into higher...
  33. G

    Quantum Optics Lab: Biting off more than I can Chew?

    So, I am a freshman signing up for classes next year. I have only taken Physics I - Mechanics, and I am done with Calc III, and I have the opportunity to take a lab course on quantum optics. I am obviously not very prepared, but I have been exposed to surface level quantum concepts quite a bit...
  34. N

    Quantum optics is a reference to a c-number

    quantum optics is a reference to a "c-number" Hi In my lecture notes on quantum optics is a reference to a "c-number" electric field, and it is stated that, since it is a c-number, there is no corresponding Hamiltonian. As far as I have understood, a c-number is a classical value of some...
  35. S

    Quantum Optics help - Single photons

    Hi. Was wondering if anyone could recommend some good introductory quantum optics textbooks? I have a good grounding in quantum mechanics, but have never looked at quantum optics. Basically my problem is that I am doing my project work in this field(to start in a couple of months) and have...
  36. S

    Quantum optics - dirac notation

    Homework Statement http://quantum.leeds.ac.uk/~almut/section2.pdf Please note i am referring to the above notes I basically don't get how the maths works to get (eq(25))(eq(22))(eq(24)) = eq(26) am i missing something interms of the commutator relations ? Homework Equations The Attempt at a...
  37. W

    Where does Quantum Optics fit?

    Im a undergrad here and going to finish my last 2 years of classes. Now I really have to look at what grad school programs are offered at different UCs. The problem is that I want to do something in Quantum Optics which is somewhere under experimental quantum physics, but as I look for it almost...
  38. N

    Quantum Optics and Coherence Functions

    Hi Classically, we can interpret the coherence functions (1st order) by using the definition of visibility, i.e., when there is complete coherence, the visibily of a fringe is maximum, and when the is complete incoherence, the visibility of a fringe is minimum. Can one make the same...
  39. M

    Quantum Optics wave amplitude question

    In quantum optics, I've been looking at how one can show electromagnetic field is equivalent to a harmonic oscillator. They give the E field as, in one dimension: E_x (x,t) = A . cos(wt) . sin(kz) where the symbols have their usual meanings. A is given as SQRT[2w^2 / Ve]...
  40. Y

    Quantum optics, 2 qubit gates acting on 2 qubits - cannot be factorized?

    Quantum optics, 2 qubit gates acting on 2 qubits - cannot be factorized?? Hi, I'm struggling to understand why two qubit gates acting on two qubits cannot be factorized, i.e. G12 \neq G1 \otimes G2, where G1 acts on qubit 1 only and G2 acts on qubit 2 only.
  41. X

    Classical limit of Quantum Optics

    I don't profess of a knowledge of QED, and am in fact incredibly ignorant of its formulation and nuances, however I do understand that its never been refuted and is the crown jewel of physical models. So I will take it as fact for this post. What confuses me, is that in quantum mechanics...
  42. N

    Discussing Exciting Topics in Quantum Optics

    Hi all. What topics do you find exciting in quantum optics? The reason why I am asking that I have to do an essay about a subject in quantum optics, and I would like to get a feel of the different topics in this area. I have recently heard of scientists who have succeeded in transferring 1...
  43. S

    If you have interest in quantum optics

    If you have interest in quantum optics,and you have aleady taken quantum mechanics course,try this . http://info.phys.unm.edu/~ideutsch/Classes/Phys566F08/index.htm#schedule
  44. T

    Quantum Optics or Particle Theory?

    I'm interested in both, getting ready to apply to graduate school - particle and nuclear physics is incredibly interesting to me, but also I am writing my UG thesis on the Jaynes-Cummings model in optics. The main questions I have as I try to decide would be: 1) How important is it to be...
  45. F

    Quantum Optics: Fock State and Its Meaning for Light

    In quantum optics, I hear talking about a Fock state as a state with a fixed number of particles and indeterminate phase. What are they talking about? What type of light is that? Does having indeterminate phase mean that we cannot predict the phase (therefore the instantaneous amplitude) of...
  46. G

    What is an appropriate and clear paper for a quantum optics presentation?

    Hi all. The final project for my quantum optics class is to find a topic (research paper or something in the field of quantum optics) and present it to the class. The assignment implies that to give an effective presentation you have to understand the topic very well. This high level optics...
  47. B

    Is there a good book for beginners in quantum optics and photon statistics?

    Hi, I just started my PhD in quantum optics/QIP and I was wondering if anyoen knew of a good book on quantum optics that explains things well especially the subject of photon statistics. Thanks
  48. Y

    Photon bunching in quantum optics

    The Hanbury Brown Twiss effect, aka the photon bunching effect, states that photons (from a thermal or coherent source) arrive in pairs instead of individually. The experimental setup consists of having a source go through a 50-50 beam splitter, where one path goes through a variable time...
  49. Q

    Experimental/theoretical quantum optics?

    Hi, I'm in the third year of my undergraduate studies - physics - and trying to begin with some research. I am really interested in quantum optics - and rather experimental than theoretical. There is a center for quantum information at my university, which has a really good reputation, but...
  50. V

    Nobelprize for quantum optics

    http://nobelprize.org/physics/laureates/2005/index.html Glauber, Hall and Haensch. Glauber for his quantum optics, the two others for their contribution to spectroscopy.
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