Quantum theory of continuous measurements and its applications in quantum optics

We present an overview of the quantum theory of continuous measurements and discuss some of its important applications in quantum optics. Quantum theory of continuous measurements is the appropriate generalization of the conventional formulation of quantum theory, which is adequate to deal with counting experiments where a detector monitors a system continuously over an interval of time and records the times of occurrence of a given type of event, such as the emission or arrival of a particle. We first discuss the classical theory of counting processes and indicate how one arrives at the celebrated photon counting formula of Mandel for classical optical fields. We then discuss the inadequacies of the so called quantum Mandel formula. We explain how the unphysical results that arise from the quantum Mandel formula are due to the fact that the formula is obtained on the basis of an erroneous identification of the coincidence probability densities associated with a continuous measurement situation. We then summarize the basic framework of the quantum theory of continuous measurements as developed by Davies. We explain how a complete characterization of the counting process can be achieved by specifying merely the measurement transformation associated with the change in the state of the system when a single event is observed in an infinitesimal interval of time. In order to illustrate the applications of the quantum theory of continuoius measurements in quantum optics, we first derive the photon counting probabilities of a single-mode free field and also of a single-mode field in interaction with an external source. We then discuss the general quantum counting formula of Chmara for a multi-mode electromagnetic field coupled to an external source. We explain how the Chmara counting formula is indeed the appropriate quantum generalization of the classical Mandel formula. To illustrate the fact that the quantum theory of continuous measurements has other diverse applications in quantum optics, besides the theory of photodetection, we summarize the theory of ‘quantum jumps’ developed by Zoller, Marte and Walls and Barchielli, where the continuous measurements framework is employed to evaluate the statistics of photon emission events in the resonance fluorescence of an atomic system.     

Existence of a Phase Transition in a Continuous Quantum System

We prove the existence of a phase transition in the quantum Widom–Rowlison model in two dimension. The case of Boltzmann and Bose statistics are explicitly discussed.     

Scattering as a Quantum Metrology Problem: A Quantum Walk Approach

We address the scattering of a quantum particle by a one-dimensional barrier potential over a set of discrete positions. We formalize the problem as a continuous-time quantum walk on a lattice with an impurity and use the quantum Fisher information as a means to quantify the maximal possible accuracy in the estimation of the height of the barrier. We introduce suitable initial states of the walker and derive the reflection and transmission probabilities of the scattered state. We show that while the quantum Fisher information is affected by the width and central momentum of the initial wave packet, this dependency is weaker for the quantum signal-to-noise ratio. We also show that a dichotomic position measurement provides a nearly optimal detection scheme.     

Internal cancellation of spikes using two avalanche photodiodes in series for single photon detection

<正>We propose a method of improving the performance of InGaAs/InP avalanche photodiodes by using two avalanche photodiodes in series as single photon detectors for 1550-nm wavelength.In this method,the raw single photon avalanche signals are not attenuated,thus a high signal-to-noise ratio can be obtained compared with the existing results.The performance of the scheme is investigated and the ratio of the dark count rate to the detection efficiency is obtained to be 1.3×10~(-4) at 213 K.     

Quantum Mechanics is About Quantum Information

I argue that quantum mechanics is fundamentally a theory about the representation and manipulation of information, not a theory about the mechanics of nonclassical waves or particles. The notion of quantum information is to be understood as a new physical primitive---just as, following Einsteins special theory of relativity, a field is no longer regarded as the physical manifestation of vibrations in a mechanical medium, but recognized as a new physical entity in its own right.     

光子回声量子存储器中非均匀展宽频谱对存储效率的影响

本文提出了一个利用光子回声技术探究非均匀展宽频谱线形(如高斯、洛伦兹分布)对存储效率影响的简捷方法。我们发现当信号光脉冲的持续时间与介质频谱线宽的乘积远大于1时,可将分布函数的傅里叶变换近似成狄拉克函数,使得研究非均匀展宽频谱对存储效率的影响变得非常容易;通过计算发现不同线形分布达到最佳存储效率的光学深度有所不同,频谱线形趋于均匀时达到最优存储效率的存储介质光学深度最小。该研究对实验上实现最优化光量子态存储具有指导意义。     

Quantum Parallelism in Quantum Information Processing

We investigate distinguishability (measured by fidelity) of the initial and the final state of a qubit, which is an object of the so-called nonideal quantum measurement of the first kind. We show that the fidelity of a nonideal measurement can be greater than the fidelity of the corresponding ideal measurement. This result is somewhat counterintuitive, and can be traced back to the quantum parallelism in quantum operations, in analogy with the quantum parallelism manifested in the quantum computing theory. In particular, as the quantum parallelism in quantum computing underlies efficient quantum algorithms, the quantum parallelism in quantum information theory underlies the classically unexpected increase of fidelity.     

Quantum to Classical Transition by a Classically Small Interaction

We investigate the quantum-classical transition of a kicked rotor (KR) under perturbation by a second one. The influence of such a chaotic KR makes decoherence of the first one, resulting in the emergence of classical diffusion from its quantum dynamics. Such quantum-classical transition persists by decreasing the effective Planck's constant \hbar, and at the same time, decreasing the mass of the second KR and the interaction strength proportionally. In the limit of \hbar → 0, due to vanishing small mass and interaction, the second KR has almost no effect on the classical dynamics of the first one. We demonstrate this via two different coupling potentials.     

Algebras of Measurements: The Logical Structure of Quantum Mechanics

In quantum physics, a measurement is represented by a projection on some closed subspace of a Hilbert space. We study algebras of operators that abstract from the algebra of projections on closed subspaces of a Hilbert space. The properties of such operators are justified on epistemological grounds. Commutation of measurements is a central topic of interest. Classical logical systems may be viewed as measurement algebras in which all measurements commute. PACS: 02.10.-V.     

Decomposition Properties of Quantum Discord

The quantum discord was introduced by Ollivier,Zurek,Henderson,and Vedral as an indicator of the degree of quantumness of mixed states.In this paper,we provide a decomposition condition for quantum discord.Moreover,we show that under the condition,the quantum correlations between the quantum systems can be captured completely by the entanglement measure.Finally,we present examples of our conclusions.     

利用单光子的量子对话

提出了一个利用一束单光子对话的方案.在方案中,利用两个不同的幺正操作对光子态进行编码,并且从一束光子中选择较大的子集进行窃听检查,该方案能够有效地抵御截取再发送袭击.此外,由于利用单光子没有利用EPR对,因此该方案是很实际的.该方案是绝对安全的.     

Quantum to Classical Transition by a Classically Small Interaction

We investigate the quantum-classical transition of a kicked rotor （KR） under perturbation by a second one. The influence of such a chaotic KR makes decoherence of the first one, resulting in the emergence of classical diffusion from its quantum dynamics. Such quantum-classical transition persists by decreasing the effective Planck＇s constant h, and at the same time, decreasing the mass of the second KR and the interaction strength proportionally. In the limit of h → 0, due to vanishing small mass and interaction, the second KR has almost no effect on the classieal dynamics of the first one. We demonstrate this via two different coupling potentials.     

Quantum Correlations in Infinite XY Spin-1/2 Chains and Quantum Phase Transition

We examine the ability of quantum discord (QD) and entanglements (concurrence, EoF and negativity) to detect the critical points associated to quantum phase transitions (QPTs) for XY models, i.e., the isotropic XY model with three-spin interactions at zero temperature, and the anisotropic XY model in a transverse magnetic field h at finite temperatures. For the case of zero temperature, we found that both entanglements and QD can spotlight the critical points of QPTs for these two models. Moreover, QD versus distance M exhibits the long-range behavior of quantum correlation for the anisotropic XY model, while entanglement is short-ranged. For the case of finite temperatures, we found that negativity has the same behaviors with concurrence at or near transition points. Moreover, QD for the anisotropic XY model can increase with temperature even in the absence of a magnetic field.     

Photon pairs: Quantum chromodynamics continuum and the Higgs boson

A new QCD calculation is summarized for the transverse momentum distribution of photon pairs produced by QCD subprocesses, including all-orders soft-gluon resummation valid at next-to-next-to-leading logarithmic accuracy. Resummation is needed to obtain reliable predictions in the range of transverse momentum where the cross-section is the largest. Results are compared with data from the Fermilab Tevatron and predictions are made for the large hadron collider. The QCD continuum is shown to have a softer spectrum than the Higgs boson signal at the LHC.      

The Observer in the Quantum Experiment

A goal of most interpretations of quantum mechanics is to avoid the apparent intrusion of the observer into the measurement process. Such intrusion is usually seen to arise because observation somehow selects a single actuality from among the many possibilities represented by the wavefunction. The issue is typically treated in terms of the mathematical formulation of the quantum theory. We attempt to address a different manifestation of the quantum measurement problem in a theory-neutral manner. With a version of the two-slit experiment, we demonstrate that an enigma arises directly from the results of experiments. Assuming that no observable physical phenomena exist beyond those predicted by the theory, we argue that no interpretation of the quantum theory can avoid a measurement problem involving the observer.     

Dynamics of Super Quantum Correlations and Quantum Correlations for a System of Three Qubits

The dynamics of quantum discord for two qubits independently interacting with dephasing reservoirs have been studied recently.The authors [Phys.Rev.A 88(2013) 034304] found that for some Bell-diagonal states(BDS)which interact with their environments the calculation of quantum discord could experience a sudden transition in its dynamics,this phenomenon is known as the sudden change.Here in the present paper,we analyze the dynamics of normal quantum discord and super quantum discord for tripartite Bell-diagonal states independently interacting with dephasing reservoirs.Then,we find that basis change does not necessary mean sudden change of quantum correlations.     

Analysis of Imperfect Rephasing in Photon Echo-Based Quantum Memories

Over the last two decades, quantum memories have been intensively studied for potential applications of quantum repeaters in quantum networks. Various protocols have also been developed. To satisfy no noise echoes caused by spontaneous emission processes, a conventional two-pulse photon-echo scheme has been modified. The resulting methods include double-rephasing, ac Stark, dc Stark, controlled echo, and atomic frequency comb methods. In these methods, the main purpose of modification is to remove any chance of a population residual on the excited state during the rephasing process. Here, we investigate a typical Gaussian rephasing pulse-based double-rephasing photon-echo scheme. For a complete understanding of the coherence leakage by the Gaussian pulse itself, ensemble atoms are thoroughly investigated for all temporal components of the Gaussian pulse, whose maximum echo efficiency is 26% in amplitude, which is unacceptable for quantum memory applications.     

A Verifiable Arbitrated Quantum Signature Scheme Based on Controlled Quantum Teleportation

In this paper, we present a verifiable arbitrated quantum signature scheme based on controlled quantum teleportation. The five-qubit entangled state functions as a quantum channel. The proposed scheme uses mutually unbiased bases particles as decoy particles and performs unitary operations on these decoy particles, applying the functional values of symmetric bivariate polynomial. As such, eavesdropping detection and identity authentication can both be executed. The security analysis shows that our scheme can neither be disavowed by the signatory nor denied by the verifier, and it cannot be forged by any malicious attacker.     

Quantum state of an injected TROPO above threshold: purity,Glauber function and photon number distribution

In this paper, we investigate several properties of the full signal-idler-pump mode quantum state generated by a triply resonant non-degenerate Optical Parametric Oscillator operating above threshold, with an injected wave on the signal and idler modes in order to lock the phase diffusion process. We determine and discuss the spectral purity of this state, which turns out not to be always equal to 1 even though the three interacting modes have been taken into account at the quantum level. We have seen that the purity is essentially dependent on the weak intensity of the injected light and on an asymmetry of the synchronization. We then derive the expression of its total three-mode Glauber P-function, and calculate the joint signal-idler photon number probability distribution and investigate their dependence on the injection.