Optical Phase Detection Techniques for Improved Noise Floors in Interferometers

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on exploring alternative methods to achieve lower noise floors in interferometers beyond traditional balanced detection schemes, particularly in the context of measuring phase shifts between two pulses from the same source. The possibility of utilizing nonlinear effects to enhance detection sensitivity is raised, questioning whether shot-noise limitations are fundamentally insurmountable. The uncertainty principle's implications on beam statistics, even during upconversion or downconversion processes, are also considered. The conversation suggests that these inquiries may be more appropriate for a Quantum Physics forum. Overall, the quest for improved optical phase detection techniques continues to be a significant topic of interest.
Manchot
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Let's say you have two pulses from the same source, one whose phase is slightly delayed relative to the other one. Now, I know that you can use an interferometer and a balanced detection-type scheme to measure the phase shift (in which case you can be shot-noise limited), but I'm wondering if there's some other method that achieves lower noise floors. I'm not exactly sure what I'm talking about (which is why I'm asking), but I'm thinking about something that exploits a nonlinearity or something.

Or is the shot-noise limitation pretty much fundamental? I know that the statistics of the beam itself is ultimately limited by the uncertainty principle, but does that hold even when the beam is upconverted or downconverted?
 
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Perhaps this question is better-suited for the Quantum Physics forum? If so, could someone move it there?
 
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