On the Similarity of the Statistical Characteristics of Spontaneous Radiation of a Quantum Amplifier at Different Gain Factors

The transformation laws governing the statistical properties of the quantum noise of an optical amplifier when its gain factor and spectral line profile are varied are considered. The correlation functions of quantum noise both at the amplifier output and after nonlinear transformation normalized to the correlation time of quantum noise at the amplifier output were found to be independent of the amplifier gain provided that it exceeds 10 for the Gaussian spectral line profile and 10³ for the Lorentzian profile. The spectral density of quantum noise transformed in a nonlinear system was shown to possess the same similarity property. It was found that the statistical characteristics possess a similarity property even in the case of variation of the spectral line profile from Gaussian to Lorentzian. It was concluded that such a characteristic of quantum noise of an optical amplifier as the correlation time bears virtually all information on the above-mentioned statistical properties at a reasonably large amplifier gain. The similarity property revealed has an important application. It allows finding the matching condition between the optical signal spectrum and the gain profile of the optical quantum amplifier to achieve the highest sensitivity of signal detection by the amplifier.     

Teaching a laser beam to go straight

In classical physics a beam of light propagates in a perfectly straight line and this means that we can measure small displacements with unlimited accuracy. However, this is not correct for real laser beams when we take the quantum properties of light into account. Spatial measurements will be limited by quantum noise, similar to the limitations for optical communication and sensing. Here we derive the spatial quantum noise limit and show how to measure it. Next we demonstrate that we can use specially prepared light with quantum correlations, so-called squeezed light, to improve spatial measurements to below this quantum limit. In this way we prepare a beam which goes in a straighter line than the output of any conventional laser.     

低分析频率压缩光的实验制备

基于PPKTP晶体的阈值以下光学参量振荡(OPO)过程,制备了共振于铷原子D1线795 nm的压缩真空态光场,研究了分析频率处于千赫兹范围的主要噪声来源,特别是795 nm激光及其二次谐波397.5 nm激光在晶体内吸收引起的非线性损耗增加和系统热不稳定的问题(397.5 nm激光处于PPKTP晶体透光范围边缘,具有高于其他波长数倍的吸收系数).以795 nm和1064 nm为例,分析了非线性损耗及晶体内热效应对压缩度的影响.受限于以上因素,795 nm压缩光很难得到1064 nm波段同样的压缩度.探测系统中的噪声耦合则限制了压缩频带.实验上对分析频率为千赫兹的经典噪声进行了有效控制,通过使用真空注入的OPO、垂直偏振及反向传输的腔长锁定光、低噪声的平衡零拍探测器、高稳定度的实验系统及量子噪声锁定等方法,最终在2.6—100 kHz的分析频段得到了约2.8 dB的795 nm压缩真空.该压缩光可用作磁场测量系统的探测光以提高测量灵敏度.     

Coherent communications

Abstract

Coherent lightwave techniques, when compared to direct detection techniques, offer nearly quantum noise limited sensitivity as well as fine tunability similar to that obtained at radio frequencies. These two aspects provide communication systems planners and engineers the means to better exploit the huge bandwidth of single mode optical fibers.

Research activity in this field started in the early 1980s, and some laboratory experiments and field trials were performed by the end of the decade, showing that such techniques are suitable for transmitting multigigabit per second signals to distances well exceeding hundred kilometers. On the other hand, coherent multichannel, frequency division multiple access, local area networks have been proposed and experimented worldwide.

This article will discuss the theoretical advantages and limitations of the various modulation and detection formats together with the state of the art. Moreover, some aspects, related to the introduction of coherent systems in local and metropolitan area networks, will be treated. Finally some experimental data will be provided and future evolution will be discussed.     

Lasers and optics: looking towards third generation gravitational wave detectors

Third generation terrestrial interferometric gravitational wave detectors will likely require significant advances in laser and optical technologies to reduce two of the main limiting noise sources: thermal noise due to mirror coatings and quantum noise arising from a combination of shot noise and radiation pressure noise. Increases in laser power and possible changes of the operational wavelength require new high power laser sources and new electro-optic modulators and Faraday isolators. Squeezed light can be used to further reduce the quantum noise while nano-structured optical components can be used to reduce or eliminate mirror coating thermal noise as well as to implement all-reflective interferometer configurations to avoid thermal effects in mirror substrates. This paper is intended to give an overview on the current state-of-the-art and future trends in these areas of ongoing research and development.     

Experimental realization of decoherence-free subspace in neutron interferometry

A decoherence-free subspace (DFS) is an important class of quantum-error-correcting (QEC) codes that have been proposed for fault-tolerant quantum computation. The applications of QEC techniques, however, are not limited to quantum-information processing (QIP). Here we demonstrate how QEC codes may be used to improve experimental designs of quantum devices to achieve noise suppression. In particular, neutron interferometry is used as a test bed to show the potential for adding quantum error correction to quantum measurements. We built a five-blade neutron interferometer that incorporates both a standard Mach-Zender configuration and a configuration based on a DFS. Experiments verify that the DFS interferometer is protected against low-frequency mechanical vibrations. We anticipate these improvements will increase the range of applications for matter-wave interferometry.     

Photonic sensing technology is opening new frontiers in biophotonics

In advanced sensing photonics it is of great importance to explore the detection limits of extremely weak optical signals and imaging using state-of-the art technology. In this paper we describe recent progress in photonic sensing technology achieved in practice in the standard quantum limit of optical detection imposed by the signal-limited shot noise, which can be realized by both the optical heterodyne detection and photon counting techniques. Then, with particular attention on imaging of ultraweak photonic signals by these techniques, their applications in developing new frontiers in the field of biophotonics such as laser computed tomography, and the imaging and characterization of ultraweak biophoton emission phenomena are described and discussed as one of the typical examples of future trends in this field.     

Interplanetary laser communications and precision ranging

Future interplanetary missions, including robotic probes and human travel, will require significantly enhanced communications bandwidth that will be difficult to realize with current radio/microwave frequency links. Besides satisfying this requirement, optical (laser) communications has the potential for substantially lowering mass, power, and volume burden on the host spacecraft; is free from spectrum allocation issues; and can potentially support tracking functions resulting in improved spacecraft navigation. Primary challenges of optical communications include precision laser beam pointing over the huge planetary range, inefficiency of laser transmitters, quantum noise limited detection, especially in presence of additive background during periods of near Sun pointing, atmospheric degradation due to attenuation and turbulence and weather outages. This paper will briefly review the status of technologies that have been devised to meet these challenges and system‐level developments for bi‐directional telecommunications and ranging to distant probes.     

On the noise operator approach to quantized dissipative systems

Invoking complex classical coordinates and momenta a consistent Hamiltonian theory suitable for the quantization of dissipative systems has been developed previously. In another paper this formalism has been illustrated on the basis of a simple order parameter equation by means of density operator techniques. This quite naturally calls for a comparison with quantum noise operator techniques. The present paper is an attempt to satisfy these demands. Extensive use will be made of operator ordering techniques and quasi-classical Fokker-Planck equations. As before, a certain incompleteness in the extractable information is clearly exhibited. It will be observed that the two techniques do not produce similar results in a general dynamical state as a consequence of dissipation. However, in the stationary state and within certain approximations both methods do lead to identical conclusions for the order parameters statistics. It will be argued that within the present context in general noise operator techniques are to be favoured.     

"Negative" backaction noise in interferometric detection of a microlever

Interferometric detection of mirror displacements is intrinsically limited by laser shot noise. In practice, however, it is often limited by thermal noise. Here we report on an experiment performed at the liquid helium temperature to overcome the thermal noise limitation and investigate the effect of classical laser noise on a microlever that forms a Fabry-Perot cavity with an optical fiber. The spectral noise densities show a region of "negative" contribution of the backaction noise close to the resonance frequency. We interpret this noise reduction as a coherent coupling of the microlever to the laser intensity noise. This optomechanical effect could be used to improve the detection sensitivity as discussed in proposals going beyond the standard quantum limit.     

Coherent analysis of quantum optical sideband modes

We demonstrate a device that allows for the coherent analysis of a pair of optical frequency sidebands in an arbitrary basis. We show that our device is quantum noise limited, and hence applications for this scheme may be found in discrete and continuous variable optical quantum information experiments.     

Remote monitoring of surfaces of optical elements

Potentialities for remote measurement of parameters of working surfaces of optical elements and remote detection of the appearance of defects of such surfaces are studied experimentally. The method suggested in this paper is based on the use of a nonlinear optical image intensifier consisting of a phase-conjugating mirror and laser preamplifiers. A sensitivity of about two signal photons per pixel limited by the quantum noise level is achieved in remote measurements of the angular distribution of diffuse reflection from optical surfaces.     

Ultralow phase noise microwave generation with an Er:fiber-based optical frequency divider

We present an optical frequency divider based on a 200 MHz repetition rate Er:fiber mode-locked laser that, when locked to a stable optical frequency reference, generates microwave signals with absolute phase noise that is equal to or better than cryogenic microwave oscillators. At 1 Hz offset from a 10 GHz carrier, the phase noise is below -100 dBc/Hz, limited by the optical reference. For offset frequencies >10 kHz, the phase noise is shot noise limited at -145 dBc/Hz. An analysis of the contribution of the residual noise from the Er:fiber optical frequency divider is also presented.     

Challenges in thermal noise for 3rd generation of gravitational wave detectors

Various noise sources limit the sensitivity of current interferometric gravitational wave detectors, including seismic noise, thermal noise of the optical components and suspension elements and photon shot noise. Plans are in place for a suite of hardware upgrades which should increase the sensitivity of these detectors by reducing the various noise sources. With these designs for 2nd generation detectors mature, techniques for further improvement of detector sensitivity by a factor of approximately 10 are under study. A particular challenge is the reduction of the thermal noise associated with the interferometer mirrors and their suspensions. We review the current status of research on thermal noise in interferometric gravitational wave detectors. Aspects of possible techniques for use in future ‘3rd generation detectors’ such as cryogenics and diffractive optics are discussed.     

连续变量纠缠态光场在光纤中传输特性的实验研究

连续变量纠缠态由于其确定性产生、高效率的特点而被广泛应用于连续变量量子信息处理.在量子信息处理过程中纠缠态与量子信道发生相互作用而退相干,这是限制长距离量子信息发展的重要因素之一.光纤信道作为理想的量子信道,是目前连续变量量子信息研究关注的热点.本文利用Ⅱ类匹配的楔角极化磷酸氧钛钾晶体构成了三共振的非简并光学参量放大器,获得了8.3 dB的光通信波段1.5μm连续变量纠缠态光场.将产生的纠缠态光场注入单模光纤,其量子特性在传输距离达50 km后仍得到保持,纠缠度为0.21dB.该研究可为基于光纤的长距离连续变量量子信息研究提供有效的依据.     

Noise thresholds for optical quantum computers

In this Letter we numerically investigate the fault-tolerant threshold for optical cluster-state quantum computing. We allow both photon loss noise and depolarizing noise (as a general proxy for all local noise), and obtain a threshold region of allowed pairs of values for the two types of noise. Roughly speaking, our results show that scalable optical quantum computing is possible for photon loss probabilities <3 x 10(-3), and for depolarization probabilities <10(-4).     

基于泊松分布单光子源的量子误码率的分析

在自由空间量子密钥分配中,单光子源采用具有泊松分布的高度衰减激光脉冲,量子密码术协议采用BB84和B92协议。通过引入量子信道传输率、单光子捕获概率、测量因子和数据筛选因子,建立了量子误码率理论模型,给出了量子误码率的表达式。对于自由空间量子信道,引起量子误码率的主要因素是光学元件、探测器暗噪声和空间光学环境,并对这些因素进行了分析。针对低轨卫星_地面站间链路,进行了量子误码率的数值仿真研究。结果表明,在低轨卫星_地面站间进行量子密钥分配是可行的,限制自由空间量子密钥分配链路距离的主要因素是探测器暗噪声和空间光学环境。     

Generation of a squeezed state at 1.55 μm with periodically poled LiNbO₃

We report on the generation of a squeezing vacuum at 1.55 μm using an optical parametric amplifier based on periodically poled LiNbO 3.Using three specifically designed narrow linewidth mode cleaners as the spatial mode and noise filter of the laser at 1.55 μm and 775 nm,the squeezed vacuum of up to 3.0 dB below the shot noise level at 1.55 μm is experimentally obtained.This system is compatible with standard telecommunication optical fibers,and will be useful for continuous variable long-distance quantum communication and distributed quantum computing.     

Design of the 10 m AEI prototype facility for interferometry studies

The AEI 10 m prototype interferometer facility is currently being constructed at the Albert Einstein Institute in Hannover, Germany. It aims to perform experiments for future gravitational wave detectors using advanced techniques. Seismically isolated benches are planned to be interferometrically interconnected and stabilized, forming a low-noise testbed inside a 100 m³ ultra-high vacuum system. A well-stabilized high-power laser will perform differential position readout of 100 g test masses in a 10 m suspended arm-cavity enhanced Michelson interferometer at the crossover of measurement (shot) noise and back-action (quantum radiation pressure) noise, the so-called Standard Quantum Limit (SQL). Such a sensitivity enables experiments in the highly topical field of macroscopic quantum mechanics. In this article we introduce the experimental facility and describe the methods employed; technical details of subsystems will be covered in future papers.     

高阻恒流LED产生亚泊松光的理论研究

本文研究高阻恒流源驱动的光发射二极管（ＬＥＤ）的输出光场的振幅噪声压缩与电，光量子效率，漏电流效应，泵浦残余噪声频率的关系，指出高阻恒流技术不仅使任意纵模产生振幅噪声压缩，而且由于仅在高阻恒流下各纵模间存在负量子相关，使得ＬＥＤ总输出光场的振幅噪声压缩加深。