How to create the operator of unknown beamsplitter

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the operator of an unknown beamsplitter in quantum optics. The participant seeks guidance on designing an experiment to measure necessary parameters, emphasizing that the beamsplitter has optically flat, parallel faces and a finite thickness with an anti-reflective coating. The use of Fresnel coefficients is recommended for understanding the splitting behavior. Additionally, the Hong-Ou-Mandel experiment is suggested as a resource for constructing a unitary matrix representation of the beamsplitter.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum optics principles
  • Familiarity with matrix representations in quantum mechanics
  • Knowledge of Fresnel coefficients and their application
  • Basic concepts of beamsplitter design and functionality
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the Hong Ou-Mandel experiment for insights on beamsplitter operations
  • Study the application of Fresnel coefficients in optical systems
  • Explore unitary matrices in quantum mechanics
  • Investigate experimental setups for measuring polarization states
USEFUL FOR

Undergraduate students in physics, researchers in quantum optics, and anyone involved in designing experiments related to beamsplitters and optical measurements.

Pattarasak
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Hello everyone, I'm undergraduate and my project is an experiment in the field of quantum optics. For now, I have an Unknown beamsplitter in my lab and I want to calculate the operator of this beamsplitter in matrix form (this BS is not perfected equipment because the reflected beam is not linear polarization ). Can anyone tell me how to design this experiment and what type of information that I have to measure to calculate the operator? thank you for the answer.
 
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What you are ultimately attempting may be more advanced than anything I have done, but for some more introductory material, I presume the beamsplitter has optically flat and very parallel faces, has a finite thickness, and has one side coated with an AR coating. All of the dielectric partial reflection is then assumed to occur from the uncoated face. The Fresnel coefficients can be used to calculate how the splitting occurs. See also the Insights article https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/fabry-perot-michelson-interferometry-fundamental-approach/ that I authored. ## \\ ## I specialize somewhat in Optics, but not Quantum Optics, so that you might be needing quite a bit more than this, but perhaps you might find this of some use.
 
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Hi Pattarasak,
If you do a google search for the Hong Ou Mandel experiment you will find many explanations of the way to construct a unitary matrix representation of the beam splitter in quantum optics.
 
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