A research field within general optical physics concerned with light and its material interaction: where light is modelled by full quantum mechanical description.
1
vote
1answer
25 views
Relationship between photon polarization and photon angular momentum
What direction is the angular momentum of right hand polarized light points to? Is it vertical to its propagating direction? I want to recognize this in quantum theory.
2
votes
0answers
37 views
What is three-photon interference?
Whilst reading this paper on a quantum processor that performs a type of matrix computation, I came across the concept of 'three-photon interference'. A quick Google search shows that this process is ...
2
votes
1answer
38 views
State emitting from an extended thermal source
This calculation is for a double slit experiment setup which is experiencing a far field radiation from an extended monochromatic thermal source. I assume the source is 1-D and it's length is $b$. ...
0
votes
0answers
17 views
Excitation probability for 2 Level Atom
I currently started learning Quantum Optics using the book "Atom Physics" of Christopher Foot. Currently I am working through Chapter 7 and a question occured concerning the intuitively physical ...
0
votes
0answers
31 views
Physical significance of effective wave function
In Yanhua Shih's book on quantum optics, the coherence functions are expressed in terms of effective wave function. Here are the expressions for single photon wave packets.
To derive the coherence ...
6
votes
1answer
180 views
Can a photon exhibit multiple frequencies?
Can a photon be a superposition of multiple frequency states? Kind of similar to how an electron can be a superposition of multiple spin states.
3
votes
1answer
82 views
Use and understanding of higher-order correlation functions
The correlation function g1 is pretty easy to understand and the relation to young's double slit experiment is also clear to me.
In every quantum optics book I read so far correlation functions ...
0
votes
1answer
52 views
First order coherence through double slit
The state $$|\Psi \rangle = |0\rangle + \sum_j \int d\omega f_j(\omega)\hat{a}^\dagger_j (\omega) |0\rangle $$ is coming from a far field and incident on a double slit setup. Here j is the index of ...
1
vote
1answer
58 views
Types of photon qubit encoding
How many types of qubit encoding on photons exist nowadays? I know only two:
Encoding on polarization:
$$ \lvert \Psi \rangle = \alpha \lvert H \rangle + \beta \lvert V \rangle $$
$$ \lvert H ...
1
vote
1answer
49 views
double slit experiment with two opposite quarter waveplates
Consider the usual double slit experiment involving laser and a double slit and a screen. Now place in front of the left slit a quarter waveplate (let's call it QWP1) that changes a certain linear ...
5
votes
1answer
171 views
What is the “direction” of the transition dipole moment? (Understanding Eq. 9.29, Charge and Energy Transfer 3rd Ed, May & Kuhn)
For a real vector $\mathbf{r}$, the direction is given by: $\hat{\mathbf{n}}=\mathbf{r}/\left|\mathbf{r}\right|$.
The transition dipole moment is a complex vector. How do you define its direction?
...
0
votes
0answers
9 views
Image formation [duplicate]
What is the real cause behind the formation of an image? It is explained as" when rays of light focus at a point image is formed." So here we have two events, one focusing of light and another ...
0
votes
1answer
79 views
Stark effect in two level atomic system
In a two level atomic system ( rabi oscillating problem) the perturbative potential is oscillating / sinusoidal because it comes from the electric field from the laser.
Now stark effect is the ...
0
votes
0answers
39 views
Photon detection rate for pure / mixed states coming from single mode point source
Let the pure states be in superposition of horizontal and vertically polarized basis states. They are arriving at the point detector one at a time. So, a pure state is $|\Psi\rangle = \alpha|V\rangle ...
2
votes
1answer
36 views
What is a $TEM_{900}$ cavity radiation mode?
Good afternoon everyone.
I am reading a paper by Serge Haroche stating the cavity they use sustains a Gaussian mode of the e.m. field called $TEM_{900}$. I understand what Gaussian means. I found this ...
0
votes
1answer
76 views
How can the 5-photon absorption coefficient be estimated?
Imagine a large bandgap material which is irradiated by an intense laser beam.
If the photon energy is only high enough for 1/5 of the bandgap, is there a way to approximate the absorption by 5-photon ...
3
votes
0answers
70 views
Dyson Series Second Order Term Importance vs. Time
Given a time ordered Dyson series expansion of
$$H_I=e^{-\frac{i}{\hbar}\sigma_3t}V_0\sin(\omega t)\sigma_1e^{\frac{i}{\hbar}\sigma_3t}$$
$${\cal ...
1
vote
1answer
70 views
Measuring the quantum state of light
A clarification please
The following scheme to measure linear polarization states (a single polarizing beam splitter and two photo counters) orientation (as $arctan \sqrt{\frac{v}{h}}$) of coherent ...
0
votes
0answers
102 views
Polarization photon and Stokes parameters
I have the following situation: About the polarization of the photon, I introduce the basis:
Horizontal polarization $|\leftrightarrow>=\binom{1}{0}$
Vertical polarization ...
1
vote
1answer
87 views
Using wavepackets instead of photons in quantum computer
Why does a photonic quantum computer require photons? Why wouldn't wave packets work just as well, better in fact since it would get away from the use of fragile single photons? (Article)
1
vote
0answers
30 views
Why is low temperature required for optical lattice systems to enter magnetic regime?
"Optical lattice requires a very low temperature scale to enter magnetism regime."
Why is that?
What I know:
optical lattice systems suppress kinetic energy (hopping parameter: $t$ small);
...
1
vote
0answers
76 views
How to calculate radiative transition rate of exciton in a quantum dot with specific dimension?
I am writing rate equations for a nanophotonic system including three quantum dots. I need to calculate that radiative transition rates of exciton in ground state in those quantum dots.
In the paper ...
9
votes
6answers
249 views
optical equivalent of a superconductor
Is there some material state that can propagate light indefinitely without dissipation or absorption, like superconductors are able to trasmit current indefinitely?
If not, then the question is, why ...
0
votes
0answers
74 views
Is Photonics going to be the next phase in Electronics? Considering the recent Nobel Prize 2012 award for Physics [closed]
Photonics seems to be a rather closed field involving only specialists and experts working on it. Will there be a period which is going to define the power of Photonics in which Electronics is ...
1
vote
0answers
53 views
fiber optic second order PMD as an operator on the tensor product Hilbert space
Second order polarization mode dispersion (SOPMD) is a coupling mechanism between polarization and frequency. Take our photon to be the following tensor product:
$\psi = \int \gamma_{\omega} | ...
2
votes
3answers
229 views
Quantization of arbitrary electromagnetic field
Quantum optics all discuss the quantization of free electromagnetic radiation. The result is well established.
But what about an arbitrary electromagnetic field? For example, the simplest case, ...
0
votes
0answers
203 views
Intensity of the diffraction pattern of the double slit
I am trying another approach for my last unanswered question. (Bounty still on for 3 days. Anyone? Please?) Note that this is not the same question but a greatly simplified version concerning a much ...
2
votes
2answers
198 views
Is there a simple approximation to calculate the index of refraction of water?
A very rough approximation from first principles, from the elementary charge and hbar, would suffice. But is there such an approximation at all?
(Alternatively, if water is too difficult: is there ...
2
votes
1answer
278 views
What IS reflection?
How does quantum electrodynamics actually explain HOW reflection occurs on a microscopic scale?
Note that Feynman's QED lecture series/book is not sufficient, as he only assumes that light DOES ...
0
votes
0answers
103 views
Atomic Coherence(Polarization) of Two Dipole-Dipole Coupled Atoms
My question is about generalization of most simple problem in semi-classical quantum optics. Composite system of two-level systems.
single system's diagram
where atomic frequency: wab=wa - wa; ...
1
vote
1answer
89 views
Optical waveguide that can displace a 4D light field
Has anyone invented an optical waveguide that can "pipe" a scene from one place to another unaltered? More precisely, I want to displace (and/or rotate) a 4D light field.
An optical waveguide is an ...
0
votes
1answer
62 views
quantum field description of squeezing
Following with a series of questions regarding quantum squeezing, let me add another one: quantum squeezing of vacuum is a real propagating state of the field, it can be switched on and off, squeezing ...
3
votes
0answers
49 views
uncertainty deviations for vacuum astronomy
Since i've done this question, i've been trying to improve and make more precise the statements regarding cosmic squeezed states and how different uncertainties affect the vacuum energy, but as it ...
4
votes
1answer
98 views
What Cat States of light have been experimentally produced?
I'm specifically looking for Schrödinger's Cat states involving superpositions of two, or if it's been done more, coherent states, i.e. monomodal states of the form ...
3
votes
2answers
67 views
limits on a gauss box of light
Consider a wall defined by $w(x,y,z) = \Theta(x-L)$ which is nonzero in the infinite semi-space of $x \ge L$, as well as a coherent planar standing EM wave travelling in the $z$ plane given by its ...
0
votes
1answer
90 views
How to estimate number of Laue Spot
Why are "Laue Spots" spots instead of rings? Or is there an effective way to estimate the number of Laue spots? I can't find any formulas or theory concerning this issue. Thanks for your attention!
0
votes
0answers
64 views
polarization - quantum point of view
polarization could be easily imagined in classical model: direction of E vector. is there any simple image for polarization of single photon?
1
vote
2answers
182 views
Optical Tunneling
Is there light tunneling taking place in optically transparent mediums like glass? wherein light travels a larger path in these mediums without interacting with atoms and without any change in ...
2
votes
1answer
160 views
Validity of Einstein Coefficient Derivations
Consider a two-level energy gap with electronic energy states $E_1$ & $E_2$ and associated population densities $n_1$ and $n_2$ with $E_2>E_1$.
In the derivation of the Einstein coefficients ...
1
vote
0answers
50 views
What characterizations are available for two-photon Bell state light sources?
It is often technologically important to know how photon statistics change over time when a light source is turned on. A light source that comes to full intensity/visibility in a nanosecond after it ...
5
votes
2answers
244 views
Reference request: Susskind-Glogower original paper
I'm trying to find Susskind and Glogower's original paper,
L. Susskind and J. Glogower, Quantum mechanical phase and time operator, Physics 1 (1964) 49-61,
where they propose their exponential ...
6
votes
3answers
423 views
Computer game with quantum optics / quantum information
Is there a computer game using principles of quantum optics or quantum information?
By game I mean not just a simulation or an interactive course, but something than can be played in an enjoyable ...
5
votes
2answers
56 views
Heuristics for definitions of open and closed quantum dynamics
I've been reading some of the literature on "open quantum systems" and it looks like the following physical interpretations are made:
Reversible dynamics of a closed quantum system are represented ...
3
votes
1answer
131 views
Can spatial coherence be maintained in fiber optic cables over time?
I am doing research with a double slit experiment, using a beam splitter and 2 lengths of fiber optic cable, whose ends brought close together form the effective double slit. I notice that the ...
2
votes
2answers
253 views
Why does optical pumping of Rubidium require presence of magnetic field?
The optical pumping experiment of Rubidium requires the presence of magnetic field, but I don't understand why.
The basic principle of pumping is that the selection rule forbids transition from ...
1
vote
1answer
154 views
Quantum Cryptography
First question was a little bit ambiguous.
Photons are passed through a linear polarizer that is oriented $\theta$ degrees again the photon passes through another linear polarizer that also have a ...
10
votes
2answers
813 views
Quantum memories: What are they?
Searching the literature for the term "quantum memory" seems to bring up results from two different communities.
On the one hand there are quantum opticians, who see a quantum memory as something ...
0
votes
2answers
442 views
quantum optics of a polarizing beam splitter
I would like to use the Heisenberg picture in quantum field theory to model a polarizing beam splitter. Is there an easy way for someone to show me how the field operators ($a^\dagger_{input1}$, ...
5
votes
1answer
178 views
Matlab package: graphical calculus for quantum operations (esp. linear optics)
I need a matlab package that will make my life easier. I have quantum circuits with optical beam splitters, polarizing beam splitters and photodetectors. These circuits are getting very complicated ...
8
votes
2answers
195 views
What are some ways to (approximately) symbolically diagonalize Hamiltonian operator?
Specifically the Hamiltonian takes the form of
$$\hat H = \frac{\Delta }{2}{\hat \sigma _z} + {\omega _1}\hat a_1^\dagger {\hat a_1} + {\omega _2}\hat a_2^\dagger {\hat a_2} + {g_1}\left( {{{\hat ...
