Phase estimation of phase shifts in two arms for an SU(1,1) interferometer with coherent and squeezed vacuum states

We theoretically study the quantum Fisher information(QFI) of the SU(1,1) interferometer with phase shifts in two arms by coherent ? squeezed vacuum state input, and give the comparison with the result of phase shift only in one arm.Different from the traditional Mach–Zehnder interferometer, the QFI of single-arm case for an SU(1,1) interferometer can be slightly higher or lower than that of two-arm case, which depends on the intensities of the two arms of the interferometer.For coherent ? squeezed vacuum state input with a fixed mean photon number, the optimal sensitivity is achieved with a squeezed vacuum input in one mode and the vacuum input in the other.     

Tolerance-enhanced SU(1,1) interferometers using asymmetric gain

SU(1,1) interferometers play an important role in quantum metrology. Previous studies focus on various inputs and detection strategies with symmetric gain. In this paper, we analyze a modified SU(1,1) interferometer using asymmetric gain. Two vacuum states are used as the input and on-off detection is performed at the output. In a lossless scenario, symmetric gain is the optimal selection and the corresponding phase sensitivity can achieve the Heisenberg limit as well as the quantum Cramer-Rao bound. In addition, we analyze the phase sensitivity with symmetric gain in the lossy scenario. The phase sensitivity is sensitive to internal losses but extremely robust against external losses. We address the optimal asymmetric gain and the results suggest that this method can improve the tolerance to internal losses. Our work may contribute to the practical development of quantum metrology.     

Enhanced phase sensitivity of an SU(1,1) interferometer with displaced squeezed vacuum light

We study the phase sensitivity of an SU(1,1) interferometer with two input beams in the displaced squeezed vacuum state and the coherent state, respectively. We find that there exists an optimal squeezing fraction of the displaced squeezed vacuum state that optimizes the phase sensitivity. We also examine the effects of some factors, including the loss, mean photon number of the input beams and amplitude gain of the optical parameter amplifiers, on the optimal squeezing fraction so that we can choose the optimal values to enhance the phase sensitivity.     

Phase sensitivity of two nonlinear interferometers with inputting entangled coherent states

We investigate the phase sensitivity of the SU(1,1) interfereometer [SU(1,1)I] and the modified Mach–Zehnder interferometer(MMZI) with the entangled coherent states(ECS) as inputs. We consider the ideal case and the situations in which the photon losses are taken into account. We find that, under ideal conditions, the phase sensitivity of both the MMZI and the SU(1,1)I can beat the shot-noise limit(SNL) and approach the Heisenberg limit(HL). In the presence of photon losses, the ECS can beat the coherent and squeezed states as inputs in the SU(1,1)I, and the MMZI is more robust against internal photon losses than the SU(1,1)I.     

The Phase Sensitivities for Different Phase-Shift Configurations in an SU(1,1) Interferometer

We theoretically study the phase sensitivities of two different phase-shift configurations in an SU(1,1)interferometer with coherent ■ squeezed vacuum states.According to quantum Cramér-Rao theorem,we analytically obtain the ultimate phase sensitivities for two types of phase shift accumulating in one-and two-arm.Compared with the case of one-arm phase shift,the model with phase shift encoding in both arms may provide a better sensitivity when the strength of squeezed vacuum state is large enough.Furthermore,we discuss the achievable sensitivities with the homodyne measurement by invoking of error-propagation formula.In addition,we study the effect of internal and outernal photon losses on the phase sensitivity of the SU(1,1) interferometer and find that the unbalanced interferometer is helpful to improve precision even with high external losses.     

Quantum metrology with two-mode squeezed thermal state: Parity detection and phase sensitivity

Based on the Wigner-function method, we investigate the parity detection and phase sensitivity in a Mach–Zehnder interferometer(MZI) with two-mode squeezed thermal state(TMSTS). Using the classical transformation relation of the MZI, we derive the input–output Wigner functions and then obtain the explicit expressions of parity and phase sensitivity.The results from the numerical calculation show that supersensitivity can be reached only if the input TMSTS have a large number photons.     

A new finite-dimensional thermal coherent state and its Wigner distribution function

This paper constructs a new type of finite-dimensional thermal coherent states (FDTCS), which differs from the proceeding thermal coherent state in construction, as realisations of SU(2) Lie algebra. Using the technique of integration within an ordered product of operator, it investigates the orthonormality and completeness relation of the FDTCS. Based on the thermal Wigner operator in the thermal entangled state representation, the Wigner function of the FDTCS is obtained. The nonclassical properties of the FDTCS are discussed in terms of the negativity of its Wigner function.     

Enhancement of Sensitivity by Initial Phase Matching in SU(1,1) Interferometers

We derive a general phase-matching condition(PMC) for enhancement of sensitivity in SU(1,1) interferometers. Under this condition, the quantum Fisher information(QFI) of two-mode SU(1,1) interferometry becomes maximal with respect to the relative phase of two modes, for the case of an arbitrary state in one input port and an even(odd) state in the other port, and the phase sensitivity is enhanced. We also find that optimal parameters can let the QFI in some areas achieve the Heisenberg limit for both pure and mixed initial states. As examples, we consider several input states: coherent and even coherent states, squeezed vacuum and even coherent states, squeezed thermal and even coherent states. Furthermore, in the realistic scenario of the photon loss channel, we investigate the effect of photon losses on QFI with numerical studies. We find the PMC remains unchanged and is not affected by the transmission coefficients for the above input states. Our results suggest that the PMC can exist in various kinds of interferometers and the phase-matching is robust to even strong photon losses.     

Super-sensitive phase estimation with coherent boosted light using parity measurements

We consider a passive and active hybrid interferometer for phase estimation, which can reach the sub-shot-noise limit in phase sensitivity with only the cheapest coherent sources. This scheme is formed by adding an optical parametric amplifier before a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. It is shown that our hybrid protocol can obtain a better quantum Cramer-Rao bound than the pure active(e.g., SU(1,1)) interferometer, and this precision can be reached by implementing the parity measurements. Furthermore, we also draw a detailed comparison between our scheme and the scheme suggested by Caves[Phys. Rev. D 23 1693(1981)], and it is found that the optimal phase sensitivity gain obtained in our scheme is always larger than that in Caves' scheme.     

光子增减叠加相干态在热环境中的退相干

研究了由光子增减叠加操作作用于相干态而得量子态的非经典性及其在热环境中的退相干问题.通过解析导出了Mandel's Q参数、光子数分布、Wigner函数等,讨论其非经典性.研究表明一阶光子增减相干叠加相干态在相空间总是取负值,只要满足条件∣2z* +α-α*∣2＜1.基于Wigner函数的演化积分公式,解析地推导出了在热环境中Wigner函数的简洁表达式.研究首次表明:如果κt＜1/2ln[(2(η)+2)/(2(η)+1)]得以满足,一阶光子增减相干叠加相干态在相空间最小值点处Wigner函数分布总存在负部.此外,根据Wigner函数负部体积讨论了其非经典特性.     

Nonclassical Properties of Multiple-Photon-Added Two-Mode Squeezed Coherent States

We investigate how the photon addition operation affects the nonclassical properties of the non-Gaussian squeezed state generated by adding photons to each mode of the two-mode squeezed coherent state (TMSCS). By the generating function of two-variable Hermite polynomials, the compact expression of normalization factor is derived. We show that the fields in such states exhibit remarkable sub-Poissonian photon statistics. The photon addition operation can enhance the cross-correlation for appropriate combinations of several parameters involved in the TMSCS. Compared with that of TMSCS, the Wigner function of the photon–added TMSCS (PA-TMSCS) is modulated by a factor which is also related with two-variable Hermite polynomials. Such Wigner functions have some negativity regions and show a strong quantum mechanical interference. In addition, the normalization factor, Mandel’s Q parameter, cross-correlation function and Wigner functions are all sensitive to the compound phase involved in TMSCS.     

探测器对量子增强马赫-曾德尔干涉仪相位测量灵敏度的影响

研究了强度差测量方案下,探测器量子效率对光子数态、关联数态、压缩真空态三种量子光源注入的马赫-曾德尔干涉仪相位测量灵敏度的影响.获得了相位测量灵敏度与效率的定量关系,比较了探测效率对不同量子态注入的干涉仪相位灵敏度的影响.研究表明：光子数态注入时,相位测量灵敏度始终不能超越标准量子极限;关联数态注入时,无论多大的光子数,要获得相位测量的量子增强,探测效率不得小于75%;对于压缩真空态,只要有压缩存在就可以获得一定的相位测量的量子增强;关联数态、压缩真空态的注入,相位灵敏度皆随探测效率的增大而不同程度的提高,且压缩真空态比关联数态具有更好的量子增强效果.给出了在量子增强的精密测量实验中对探测效率的要求,并结合实际应用说明了探测效率的提高有助于提高干涉仪探测的灵敏度.     

Phase-sensitive nonclassical properties of photon-added-then-subtracted coherent squeezed states

We investigate the nonclassical properties of the photon-added-then-subtracted coherent squeezed state(PASCSS) via the sub-Poissonian statistics,the photon-number distribution,and the negativity of the Wigner function.It is found that the PASSCS is a superposition state of D(β)S(ζ)|0>,D(β)S(ζ)|1>,and D(β)S(ζ)|2>.We find that the Mandel Q parameter,the photon-number distribution,and the negative volume of the Wigner function of the PASCSS are all periodic functions of the compound φ-θ/2 with a period π involved with squeezing and displacement parameters.     

光和原子关联与量子计量

物理量的测量与单位标准的统一推动了计量学的发展.量子力学的建立,激光技术的发明以及原子与分子物理学的发展,在原理与技术上进一步刷新了计量学的研究内涵,特别是激光干涉与原子频标技术的发展,引起了计量学革命性的飞跃.基于激光干涉的引力波测量、激光陀螺仪,基于原子干涉的原子钟、原子陀螺仪等精密测量技术相继诞生,一个以量子物理为基础,探索与开拓物理量精密测量方法与技术的新的科学分支——量子计量学(Quantum Metrology)已然兴起.干涉是计量学中最常用的相位测量方法.量子干涉技术,其相位测量精度能够突破标准量子极限的限制,是量子计量学与量子测量技术的核心研究内容.本文重点介绍近几年我们在量子干涉方面所取得的新开拓与新发展,主要内容包括基于原子系综中四波混频过程的SU(1,1)型光量子关联干涉仪和基于原子系综中拉曼散射过程的光-原子混合干涉仪.     

拉盖尔多项式算符激发相干态的非经典性质

将拉盖尔多项式算符作用在相干态上,构造了拉盖尔多项式算符激发相干态.利用有序算符积分技术,导出了它的归一化系数以及〈a^la^+m〉的计算表达式.采用数值计算方法,讨论了相干态相位角和平均光子数对它的非经典性质的影响.研究结果表明:一阶拉盖尔多项式算符激发相干态呈现出压缩效应、反聚束效应、亚泊松分布和Wigner函数负性等量子特性,并且相干态的相位角对它的量子特性有重要影响;另一方面,随相干态平均光子数增大,它的反聚束效应和亚泊松分布性质逐渐减弱,压缩效应和Wigner函数的负性却先增强,而后又逐渐减弱.     

Phase Sensitivity and Entanglement of Mach-Zehnder Interferometer

We investigate the dependence of phase sensitivity and entanglement of two streams of photons that they incident upon Mach-Zehnder interferometer on the initial input states and the phase difference. Phase sensitivity and entanglement are periodic function of the phase difference. The initial input state with the more photons or smaller population difference induces the better phase sensitivity and entanglement.     

叠加的奇偶SU(1,1)相干态的统计性质

研究了将两个SU(1,1)相干态｜ζ,k〉和｜ζ,k〉叠加起来得到的新的量子态的统计性质．偶SU(1,1)相干态｜ζ,1/4〉和奇SU(1,1)相干态｜ζ,3/4〉分别对应于压缩真空态和压缩单光子数态．适当选取SU(1,1)态的相位角和叠加时的相对相位,得到的新的量子态比单个SU(1,1)相干态表现出大大增强的正交分量压缩和光子反群聚效应．也说明了怎样准备这样的叠加态． 关键词：     

Wigner function and density operator of the photon-subtracted squeezed thermal state

By using the technique of integration within an ordered product of operators, the normal ordered density operator of the photon-subtracted squeezed thermal state (PSSTS) is derived. Then the corresponding Wigner function is presented by using the coherent state representation of the Wigner operator. The nonclassical properties of the PSSTS are discussed based on the negativity of the Wigner function.     

Enhanced phase sensitivity with a nonconventional interferometer and nonlinear phase shifter

We propose a theoretical scheme of an enhanced phase sensitivity by introducing a nonlinear phase shifter to the nonconventional interferometer consisting of a balanced beam splitter (BBS) and an optical parameter amplifier (OPA), a modified nonlinear interferometer (MNI). Then we use coherent state and even coherent state as inputs and homodyne detection at one output port of the MNI for phase sensitivity, both without and with photon losses. We find that the nonlinear phase shifter can not only improve phase sensitivity, but also significantly resist the decoherence from photon losses. In comparison to both the BBS+OPA scheme with linear phase shifter and the traditional Mach–Zehnder interferometer with nonlinear one, the phase sensitivity of the MNI scheme shows the best performance. It is interesting that the nonlinear phase shifter can stimulate potential of the OPA, although there is no improvement in signal-to-noise ratio beyond standard quantum limit for the BBS+OPA scheme with a linear phase shifter.     

The Nonclassicality and Decoherence of a Superposition State Generated in a Resonant Cavity

We discuss nonclassicality of a superposition of coherent states in terms of sub-Poissonian photon statistics as well as the negativity of the Wigner function. We derive an analytic expression for the Wigner function from which we find that the function has some negative region in phase space. We obtain a compact form of the Wigner function when decoherence occurs and study the effect of decoherence on the state. We demonstrate the behaviour of the nonclassicality indicator.