Investigations of information quantifiers for the Tavis–Cummings model

In this article, a system of two two-level atoms interacting with a single-mode quantized electromagnetic field in a lossless resonant cavity via a multi-photon transition is considered. The quantum Fisher information, negativity, classical Fisher information, and reduced von Neumann entropy for the two atoms are investigated. We found that the number of photon transitions plays an important role in the dynamics of different information quantifiers in the cases of two symmetric and two asymmetric atoms. Our results show that there is a close relationship between the different quantifiers. Also, the quantum and classical Fisher information can be useful for studying the properties of quantum states which are important in quantum optics and information.     

Families of bose rays in quantum optics

Having known classical wave optics and wave mechanics, can we reverse Schrödinger's path and extend the concept of families of rays of light to provide a new exact rendering of quantum optics including the Bose nature of photons? This question is answered in the affirmative, and the implications of the Bose symmetry for certain nonlocal correlations of the many-ray distribution functions are worked out. The similarities and the differences between classical and quantum wave optics are brought out. The ray-ray Bose correlation is analyzed. The generating functional for the many-ray distribution functions is formulated; and the notion of paraxial illumination for quantum optics is made precise.     

A Classical Analogy of Entanglement

A classical analogy of quantum mechanical entanglement is presented, using classical light beams. The analogy can be pushed a long way, only to reach its limits when we try to represent multiparticle, or nonlocal, entanglement. This demonstrates that the latter is of exclusive quantum nature. On the other hand, the entanglement of different degrees of freedom of the same particle might be considered classical. The classical analog cannot replace Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen type experiments, nor can it be used to build a quantum computer. Nevertheless, it does provide a reliable guide to the intuition and a tool for visualizing abstract concepts in low-dimensional Hilbert spaces.     

Geometrical optics in Fresnel quantum holography

The geometrical optics in Fresnel quantum holography for quantum entangled two-photon source and classical thermal light source based on the second-order correlation measurement has been discussed. We theoretically prove that the Fresnel quantum hologram of the detected object can be obtained through second-order correlation measurement and the optical reconstruction process can be accomplished by making use of a point light source.     

采用消逝波干涉的二维表面微光阱阵列

提出了一种采用两套超大红失谐消逝波干涉和一束蓝失谐消逝波光场来实现原子二维表面微光阱阵列和原子有效强度梯度冷却的新方案,得到了二维表面微光阱阵列的光强分布和光学势分布.研究发现,二维表面微光阱阵列中微光阱的光学势能够有效地囚禁从标准磁光阱中释放的冷原子,并且被囚禁的冷原子能在蓝失谐消逝波光场的作用下产生有效的强度梯度Sisyphus冷却,对⁸⁷Rb原子而言,原子温度能被冷却到2.56μK.该方案在冷原子物理、原子光学和量子光学领域中有着广阔的应用前景. 关键词： 消逝波干涉 微光阱阵列 原子囚禁 强度梯度冷却     

Interferences,ghost images and other quantum correlations according to stochastic optics

There are an extensive variety of experiments in quantum optics that emphasize the non-local character of the coincidence measurements recorded by spatially separated photocounters. These are the cases of ghost image and other interference experiments based on correlated photons produced in, for instance, the process of parametric down-conversion or photon cascades. We propose to analyse some of these correlations in the light of stochastic optics, a local formalism based on classical electrodynamics with added background fluctuations that simulate the vacuum field of quantum electrodynamics, and raise the following question: can these experiments be used to distinguish between quantum entanglement and classical correlations?     

Quantum coherent versus classical coherent light

The paper shows that the Wigner distribution function of quantum optical coherent states, or of a superposition of such states, can be produced and measured with a classical optical set-up using classical coherent light fields. This measurement cannot be done directly in quantum optics since the quantum phase space variables correspond to non-commuting operators. As an example, the Wigner distribution function of Schrödinger cat states of light has been measured. It is also shown that the possibility of measuring the Wigner distribution function of quantum coherent states with classical coherent fields is unique in the sense that it cannot be extended to other quantum states, not even to the incoherent limit of the superposition of coherent states.     

Optical realization of a quantum beam splitter

We show how the quantum process of splitting light may be modeled in classical optics. A second result is the possibility to engineer specific forms of a classical field.     

New experimental tests of the photon’s indivisibility

We consider the old foundational problem of quantum/classical optics ?C indivisibility of photon. Quantum theory predicts that in experiments on coincidence detection double clicks are impossible (up to noise); on the other hand, the known semiclassical and classical models predict a relatively high rate of coincidence. We present a model of the classical (random) wave type which predicts that in the same way as in quantum optics coincidence of clicks is a rare event. However, this model has a new prediction compared to quantum optics, namely, that the rate of double clicks depends substantially on the discrimination threshold of a detector. We propose to perform new detailed tests to check the discrimination threshold dependence predicted by our model. In experiments on coincidence detection performed to date, for example, the Grangier experiment does not contain statistical data on the threshold dependence.     

Isotope effects in the diffusion of hydrogen

Isotope effects in diffusion of hydrogen atoms are investigated theoretically. It is shown that isotope effect is reduced by a nonadiabatic effect of the heat bath so that the classical‐quantum crossover temperature and quantum tunneling rate lose their mass dependence. On the other hand, isotope effect is reversed in classical hopping rate under strong spatial confinement at the barrier top. These results indicate that isotope effects can be the means of observing influences of many degrees of freedom characterizing environment in diffusion process. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

浅谈超构表面在量子光学中的应用

近年来,利用超构表面对光场的调控研究取得了令人瞩目的进展,不仅在经典光的调控方面取得了优异的成果,在量子光学方面的研究和应用也开始崭露头角,引起人们越来越多的研究兴趣。文章简要讨论了基于超构表面的量子光学的研究进展,包括量子光源的制备、量子态的调控以及量子态的探测和成像等方面。     

Effect of a stray magnetic field on nonlinear magneto-optical resonances observed in the geometry of counter-propagating light waves

Magneto-optical resonances of electromagnetically induced absorption (EIA) in a cell filled with the vapor of alkali atoms and buffer gas are considered. The atoms are excited using a configuration of electromagnetic fields composed of two counter-propagating linearly polarized light waves and a static magnetic field. We focus on the influence of the residual magnetic field on the parameters of nonlinear resonances. In real experiments, a residual field is always present in the cell due to imperfect magnetic-field shielding. On the basis of calculations, we formulate practical recommendations for controlling the residual magnetic field in the experiments aimed at observation of high-quality EIA resonances. The results from this work can find application in quantum magnetometry and nonlinear optics.     

腔量子电动力学系统中耦合三原子的纠缠特性

研究了三个全同二能级原子与单模腔相互作用系统中原子间的三体纠缠特性.考虑原子间存在相互耦合,并且腔场处于弱相干态的情况,通过数值计算给出了纠缠量的演化曲线,讨论了原子间耦合强度和弱相干场强度对三体纠缠的影响.研究结果表明:随弱相干场强度增强,原子间的三体纠缠增强;相反,随原子间耦合系数增大,原子间三体纠缠减弱.     

Micromanipulation of neutral atoms with nanofabricated structures

A large variety of trapping and guiding potentials can be designed by bringing cold atoms close to charged or current carrying material objects. We describe the basic principles of constructing microscopic traps and guides and how to load atoms into them. The simplicity and versatility of these methods will allow for miniaturization and integration of atom optical elements into matter-wave quantum circuits on Atom Chips. These could form the basis for robust and widespread applications in atom optics, ranging from fundamental studies in mesoscopic physics to possibly quantum information systems. Received: 20 December 1999 / Revised version: 7 March 2000 / Published online: 5 April 2000     

Proliferation of atomic wave packets at the nodes of a standing light wave

A quantum analysis is presented of the motion and internal state of a two-level atom in a strong standing-wave light field. Coherent evolution of the atomic wave-packet, atomic dipole moment, and population inversion strongly depends on the ratio between the detuning from atom-field resonance and a characteristic atomic frequency. In the basis of dressed states, atomic motion is represented as wave-packet motion in two effective optical potentials. At exact resonance, coherent population trapping is observed when an atom with zero momentum is centered at a standing-wave node. When the detuning is comparable to the characteristic atomic frequency, the atom crossing a node may or may not undergo a transition between the potentials with probabilities that are similar in order of magnitude. In this detuning range, atomic wave packets proliferate at the nodes of the standing wave. This phenomenon is interpreted as a quantum manifestation of chaotic transport of classical atoms observed in earlier studies. For a certain detuning range, there exists an interval of initial momentum values such that the atom simultaneously oscillates in an optical potential well and moves as a ballistic particle. This behavior of a wave packet is a quantum analog of a classical random walk of an atom, when it enters and leaves optical potential wells in a seemingly irregular manner and freely moves both ways in a periodic standing light wave. In a far-detuned field, the transition probability between the potentials is low, and adiabatic wave-packet evolution corresponding to regular classical motion of an atom is observed.     

A concise review of Rydberg atom based quantum computation and quantum simulation

Quantum information processing based on Rydberg atoms emerged as a promising direction two decades ago.Recent experimental and theoretical progresses have shined exciting light on this avenue.In this concise review,we will briefly introduce the basics of Rydberg atoms and their recent applications in associated areas of neutral atom quantum computation and simulation.We shall also include related discussions on quantum optics with Rydberg atomic ensembles,which are increasingly used to explore quantum computation and quantum simulation with photons.     

The Kapitza-Dirac effect

The development of laser cooling has an important impact on many aspects of atomic physics and quantum optics. The efforts to understand the various types of force exerted on atoms by laser light have led to some interesting physics and it is now possible for extremely cold clouds of atoms to be produced, which can be confined in atom traps or formed into very monoenergetic atomic beams.

There are many new possibilities to explore in this ultra-cold regime where quantum effects are significant, in addition to the potential for great improvements in precision measurements made by r.f. and laser spectroscopy.     

Squeezing and entangling atomic motion in cavity QED via quantum nondemolition measurement

We propose a scheme for preparing the squeezing of an atomic motion and an Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen state in position and momentum of a pair of distantly separated trapped atoms. The scheme utilizes the quantum nondemolition measurements with interaction between the cavity field and the motional state of the trapped atom in cavity QED. By illuminating the atoms with bichromatic light, the interaction Hamiltonian of the cross-Kerr effect between the cavity and atomic motion is generated to implement quantum nondemolition measurements.Received: 5 February 2003, Published online: 17 July 2003PACS: 03.67.Hk Quantum communication - 32.80.Lg Mechanical effects of light on atoms, molecules, and ions - 42.50.-p Quantum optics