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

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around recommendations for beginner-friendly books on quantum optics, with a specific focus on photon statistics. Participants share their opinions on various texts and their suitability for newcomers to the field.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants recommend Loudon's book as a wonderful resource for quantum optics.
  • Others suggest Mandl and Wolf's "Optical Coherence and Quantum Optics" as a foundational text, comparing its significance to Jackson's work in electromagnetism.
  • One participant mentions Meystre and Sergant as a valuable resource for learning quantum optics, emphasizing the importance of Pierre Meystre's texts.
  • Concerns are raised about the suitability of Mandl and Wolf for beginners, with suggestions that it may serve better as a reference for those with some background knowledge.
  • It is noted that a solid understanding of classical optics, classical electromagnetism, non-relativistic quantum mechanics, and basic quantum electrodynamics is necessary to fully grasp the content of Mandl and Wolf.
  • Participants discuss the structure of Mandl and Wolf, indicating that the first part focuses on classical statistical optics, while the second part delves into quantum mechanics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on the suitability of certain texts for beginners, indicating that no consensus exists regarding which book is best for newcomers to quantum optics.

Contextual Notes

Some participants highlight the need for a solid foundation in related subjects before tackling recommended texts, suggesting that prerequisites may limit the accessibility of certain books.

Baggio
Messages
211
Reaction score
1
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
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I think Loudon's book is wonderful, but there are a few others such as Wolfe (I believe) that seem to be staples in most AMO offices.
 
Baggio said:
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.

I think the undeniable bible is Mandl and Wolf "Optical Coherence and Quantum Optics".

It is to quantum optics what Jackson is to electromagnetism.
 
vanesch said:
I think the undeniable bible is Mandl and Wolf "Optical Coherence and Quantum Optics".

It is to quantum optics what Jackson is to electromagnetism.

Yes I've heard of that book, would you say it's suitable for someone new to the field though?
 
Meystre and Sergant is a good book to learn from. Anyt text written by Pierre Meystre will be invaluable when it comes to Quantum Optics.

Mandl and Wolf if it is anything like Born and Wolf will not be good to learn from, but a great reference when you have some background in the field.
 
Baggio said:
Yes I've heard of that book, would you say it's suitable for someone new to the field though?

You need to be solid in classical optics, in classical EM, in non-relativistic quantum mechanics, and some basic understanding of QED (the canonical approach will do).

A large part (the first part) of the book is concerned with "classical statistical optics", the second part is quantum-mechanical.
 

Similar threads

Graduate How are quantum optical experiments designed? ;)
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Graduate Canonical quantization of Electrodynamics: physical intuition ?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Graduate Avalanche photon detectors
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
757
Graduate Consistency of Relativistic QM
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
Graduate Fiber Optics Bandwidth Question
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Undergrad Discover Beginner-Friendly Books on Quantum Information and Computation | Q&A
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
6K
Undergrad Measurement of the mean value of the number of photons?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Undergrad Is the Existence of Photons Proven by Modern Quantum Optics?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
4K
Other Should I Take Extra Courses During My PhD in Cosmology for Future Careers?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Engineering Is a career in Optics/Photonics engineering right for me?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K