Download PH5012 - Quantum Optics

PH5012 – Quantum Optics
PH5012 - Quantum Optics
Credits:
Number of Lectures:
Academic Year:
15.0
27
2016-17
Semester:
Lecturer:
1
Dr Natalia Korolkova and Dr Friedrich Koenig
Overview
Quantum optics is the theory of light that unifies wave and particle optics. Quantum optics describes
modern high-precision experiments that often probe the very fundamentals of quantum mechanics.
The module introduces the quantisation of light, the concept of single light modes, the various
quantum states of light and their description in phase space. The module considers the quantum
effects of simple optical instruments and analyses two important fundamental experiments:
quantum-state tomography and simultaneous measurements of position and momentum. Finally, the
modern concepts of quantum entanglement and non-locality are briefly discussed.
Aims & Objectives
To introduce the unification of wave and particle optics in the context of the quantum theory of light.
As a result the student will understand and use the basic tools of the quantum theory of light to
describe the most prominent concepts and experiments in the field.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module, students will have a comprehensive knowledge of basic quantum optics
and will be able to apply this knowledge to the most important optical systems. In particular, they will
be able to perform the quantisation of optical modes and will learn different single-mode quantum
states of light. Students will master the phase space formalism of quantum mechanics with an example
of Wigner function and other quasiprobabilty distributions will be introduced. They will become
familiar with quantum-mechanical description of the most important linear optical instruments and their
application in quantum-state tomography. They will be in a position to describe quantum mechanically
such effects as absorption and amplification of light beams. Further, students will be able to account
for the noise and other decoherence effects in simple quantum-optical systems using Lindblad's
theorem. Students will acquire the understanding of such fundamental conce pts as quantum
entanglement and quantum non-locality from the quantum-optical perspective, for example
applying quantum description to an optical instrument such as parametric amplifier, where
entanglement of optical beams naturally emerges. In addition, students will be able to theoretically
fundamental experiments in quantum optics, such as the violation of Bell inequalities and teleportation.
Synopsis
Introduction
Quantum theory of light:
 Light in media
 Light modes; Quantisation of the free electromagnetic field; bosonic commutation relation
 Zero-point energy; Simple quantum states of light:
 the electromagnetic oscillator - quadrature states
 Fock (number) states
 coherent states
 thermal states
 uncertainty and squeezing, applications to quantum metrology
Phase space quasiprobability distributions:
 Wigner representation
 Q-function, P-function
 Other quaisiprobability distributions Simple optical instruments and systems:
 beam-splitter
 detection
 absorber
 amplifier
Quantum-state tomography:
 Simultaneous measurement of position and momentum
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PH5012 – Quantum Optics
Irreversible processes:
 Lindblad's theorem
 Loss and gain
 Parametric amplification and quantum entanglement.
Quantum entanglement and non-locality:
 Polarization correlations
 Bell's theorem
 Quantum teleportation
Pre-requisites
PH2011, PH2012, MT2001 or (MT2501 and MT2503), (PH3081 or PH3082 or [MT2003 or
(MT2506 and MT2507)]), PH3061, PH3062, PH4028
Anti-requisites
None
Assessment
2 Hour Examination = 100%
Accreditation Matters
This module may not contain material that is part of the IOP “Core of Physics”, but does contribute to
the wider and deeper learning expected in an accredited degree programme. The skills developed in
this module, and others, contribute towards the requirements of the IOP “Graduate Skill Base”.
Recommended Books
Please view University online record: http://resourcelists.st-andrews.ac.uk/modules/ph5012.html
General Information
Please also read the general information in the School's honours handbook.
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