Introductory Quantum OpticsThis book provides an elementary introduction to the subject of quantum optics, the study of the quantum mechanical nature of light and its interaction with matter. The presentation is almost entirely concerned with the quantized electromagnetic field. Topics covered include single-mode field quantization in a cavity, quantization of multimode fields, quantum phase, coherent states, quasi-probability distribution in phase space, atom-field interactions, the Jaynes-Cummings model, quantum coherence theory, beam splitters and interferometers, dissipative interactions, nonclassical field states with squeezing etc., 'Schrödinger cat' states, tests of local realism with entangled photons from down-conversion, experimental realizations of cavity quantum electrodynamics, trapped ions, decoherence, and some applications to quantum information processing, particularly quantum cryptography. The book contains many homework problems and an extensive bibliography. This text is designed for upper-level undergraduates taking courses in quantum optics who have already taken a course in quantum mechanics, and for first and second year graduate students. |
Contents
Field quantization | 5 |
Coherent states | 43 |
33 | 49 |
Emission and absorption of radiation by atoms | 74 |
Quantum coherence functions | 115 |
Beam splitters and interferometers | 135 |
Nonclassical light | 150 |
Dissipative interactions and decoherence | 195 |
Common terms and phrases
â¹ â¹â Alice and Bob amplitude assume atom-field atomic inversion average photon number beam splitter cavity field Chapter classical consider correlations decoherence density operator described detection detectors detuning discussed down-conversion effect eigenstates eigenvalue electric field emitted energy entangled equation excited expectation value experiment factor fluctuations frequency gate given by Eq initial input interference interferometer Jaynes-Cummings model laser Lett light Mandel measurement mode nonclassical nonlinear obtain operators â oscillations output P. L. Knight phase space Phys polarization problem quadrature operators quantized quantum computer quantum mechanics quantum optics qubit Rabi radiation resonance result Rydberg Rydberg atoms Schmidt decomposition Schrödinger Schrödinger cat signal and idler single photon single-mode field spontaneous emission squeezed vacuum statistical mixture superposition teleportation theory thermal transformation transition trapped ion two-level uncertainty vector wave Wigner function X₁