Quantum features of correlated optical modes define a major aspect of the nonclassicality in quantized radiation fields. However, the phase-sensitive detection of a two-mode light field is restricted to interferometric setups and local intensity measurements. Even the full reconstruction of the quantum state of a single radiation mode relies on such detection layouts and the preparation of a well-defined reference light field. In this work, we establish the notion of the essential quantum correlations of two-mode light fields. It refers to those quantum correlations which are measurable by a given device, i.e., the accessible part of a nonclassical Glauber-Sudarshan phase-space distribution, which does not depend on a global phase. Assuming a simple four-port interferometer and photon-number-resolving detectors, we derive the reconstruction method and nonclassicality criteria based on the Laplace-transformed moment-generating function of the essential quasiprobability. With this technique, we demonstrate that the essential quantum correlations of a polarization tomography scheme are observable even if the detectors are imperfect and cannot truly resolve the photon statistics.Quantum features of correlated optical modes define a major aspect of the nonclassicality in quantized radiation fields. However, the phase-sensitive detection of a two-mode light field is restricted to interferometric setups and local intensity measurements. Even the full reconstruction of the quantum state of a single radiation mode relies on such detection layouts and the preparation of a well-defined reference light field. In this work, we establish the notion of the essential quantum correlations of two-mode light fields. It refers to those quantum correlations which are measurable by a given device, i.e., the accessible part of a nonclassical Glauber-Sudarshan phase-space distribution, which does not depend on a global phase. Assuming a simple four-port interferometer and photon-number-resolving detectors, we derive the reconstruction method and nonclassicality criteria based on the Laplace-transformed moment-generating function of the essential quasiprobability. With this technique, we demonstrate that the essential quantum correlations of a polarization tomography scheme are observable even if the detectors are imperfect and cannot truly resolve the photon statistics.

May 23, 20160 citations

Detector-Agnostic Phase-Space Distributions

Jan Sperling, D. S. Phillips, Jacob F. F. Bulmer +11 more

The representation of quantum states via phase-space functions constitutes an intuitive technique to characterize light. However, the reconstruction of such distributions is challenging as it demands specific types of detectors and detailed models thereof to account for their particular properties and imperfections. To overcome these obstacles, we derive and implement a measurement scheme that enables a reconstruction of phase-space distributions for arbitrary states whose functionality does not depend on the knowledge of the detectors, thus defining the notion of detector-agnostic phase-space distributions. Our theory presents a generalization of well-known phase-space quasiprobability distributions, such as the Wigner function. We implement our measurement protocol, using state-of-the-art transition-edge sensors without performing a detector characterization. Based on our approach, we reveal the characteristic features of heralded single- and two-photon states in phase space and certify their nonclassicality with high statistical significance.The representation of quantum states via phase-space functions constitutes an intuitive technique to characterize light. However, the reconstruction of such distributions is challenging as it demands specific types of detectors and detailed models thereof to account for their particular properties and imperfections. To overcome these obstacles, we derive and implement a measurement scheme that enables a reconstruction of phase-space distributions for arbitrary states whose functionality does not depend on the knowledge of the detectors, thus defining the notion of detector-agnostic phase-space distributions. Our theory presents a generalization of well-known phase-space quasiprobability distributions, such as the Wigner function. We implement our measurement protocol, using state-of-the-art transition-edge sensors without performing a detector characterization. Based on our approach, we reveal the characteristic features of heralded single- and two-photon states in phase space and certify their nonclassicality with high statistical significance.

arXiv:1904.10893Physical Review LettersJan 9, 202011 citations

Time-dependent quantum correlations in phase space

F. Krumm, W. Vogel, Jan Sperling

General quasiprobabilities are introduced to visualize time-dependent quantum correlations of light in phase space. They are based on the generalization of the Glauber-Sudarshan $P$ function to a time-dependent $P$ functional [W. Vogel, Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 013605 (2008)], which fully describes temporal correlations of radiation fields on the basis of continuous phase-space distributions. This approach is nontrivial, as the $P$ functional itself is highly singular for many quantum states and nonlinear processes. In general, it yields neither a well-behaved nor an experimentally accessible description of quantum stochastic processes. Our regularized version of this multitime-dependent quasiprobability is a smooth function and applies to stronger divergences compared to the single-time and multimode scenario. The technique is used to characterize an optical parametric process with frequency mismatch and a strongly nonlinear evolution of the quantized center-of-mass motion of a trapped ion. A measurement scheme, together with a sampling approach, is provided which yields direct experimental access to the regularized $P$ functional from measured data.General quasiprobabilities are introduced to visualize time-dependent quantum correlations of light in phase space. They are based on the generalization of the Glauber-Sudarshan $P$ function to a time-dependent $P$ functional [W. Vogel, Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 013605 (2008)], which fully describes temporal correlations of radiation fields on the basis of continuous phase-space distributions. This approach is nontrivial, as the $P$ functional itself is highly singular for many quantum states and nonlinear processes. In general, it yields neither a well-behaved nor an experimentally accessible description of quantum stochastic processes. Our regularized version of this multitime-dependent quasiprobability is a smooth function and applies to stronger divergences compared to the single-time and multimode scenario. The technique is used to characterize an optical parametric process with frequency mismatch and a strongly nonlinear evolution of the quantized center-of-mass motion of a trapped ion. A measurement scheme, together with a sampling approach, is provided which yields direct experimental access to the regularized $P$ functional from measured data.

arXiv:1702.02550Physical Review AJun 6, 201712 citations

Nonclassicality and entanglement criteria for bipartite optical fields characterized by quadratic detectors. II. Criteria based on probabilities

Jan Peřina, Ondřej Haderka, Václav Michálek

Numerous nonclassicality criteria based on the probabilities of experimental photocount or theoretical photon-number distributions are derived using several approaches. Relations among the derived criteria are revealed and the fundamental criteria are identified. They are grouped into parametric systems that allow the analysis of the nonclassicality from different points of view (``local'' nonclassicality, pairwise character of photon correlations, etc.). Considering their structure, the criteria may be divided into groups that differ in the power to resolve the nonclassicality. Quantification of the nonclassicality using the Lee nonclassicality depth and the nonclassicality counting parameter is discussed. The number of field modes used is identified as an important parameter that may cause unexpected results. An appropriate linear transformation of a photocount (photon-number) distribution into its $s$ -ordered form, needed for the determination of the nonclassicality depth, is derived. For comparison, the derived criteria are applied both to an experimental photocount histogram of a twin beam and the reconstructed photon-number distributions with different levels of the noise.Numerous nonclassicality criteria based on the probabilities of experimental photocount or theoretical photon-number distributions are derived using several approaches. Relations among the derived criteria are revealed and the fundamental criteria are identified. They are grouped into parametric systems that allow the analysis of the nonclassicality from different points of view (``local'' nonclassicality, pairwise character of photon correlations, etc.). Considering their structure, the criteria may be divided into groups that differ in the power to resolve the nonclassicality. Quantification of the nonclassicality using the Lee nonclassicality depth and the nonclassicality counting parameter is discussed. The number of field modes used is identified as an important parameter that may cause unexpected results. An appropriate linear transformation of a photocount (photon-number) distribution into its $s$-ordered form, needed for the determination of the nonclassicality depth, is derived. For comparison, the derived criteria are applied both to an experimental photocount histogram of a twin beam and the reconstructed photon-number distributions with different levels of the noise.

arXiv:2010.06927Physical Review AOct 20, 202018 citations

Experimental Test of Contextuality in Quantum and Classical Systems

Aonan Zhang, Huichao Xu, Jie Xie +4 more

Contextuality is considered as an intrinsic signature of nonclassicality and a crucial resource for achieving unique advantages of quantum information processing. However, recently, there have been debates on whether classical fields may also demonstrate contextuality. Here, we experimentally configure a contextuality test for optical fields, adopting various definitions of measurement events, and analyze how the definitions affect the emergence of nonclassical correlations. The heralded single-photon state, which is a typical nonclassical light field, manifests contextuality in our setup; whereas contextuality for classical coherent fields strongly depends on the specific definition of measurement events, which is equivalent to filtering the nonclassical component of the input state. Our results highlight the importance of the definition of measurement events to demonstrate contextuality, and they link the contextual correlations to nonclassicality defined by quasiprobabilities in phase space.Contextuality is considered as an intrinsic signature of nonclassicality and a crucial resource for achieving unique advantages of quantum information processing. However, recently, there have been debates on whether classical fields may also demonstrate contextuality. Here, we experimentally configure a contextuality test for optical fields, adopting various definitions of measurement events, and analyze how the definitions affect the emergence of nonclassical correlations. The heralded single-photon state, which is a typical nonclassical light field, manifests contextuality in our setup; whereas contextuality for classical coherent fields strongly depends on the specific definition of measurement events, which is equivalent to filtering the nonclassical component of the input state. Our results highlight the importance of the definition of measurement events to demonstrate contextuality, and they link the contextual correlations to nonclassicality defined by quasiprobabilities in phase space.

arXiv:1810.07966Physical Review LettersFeb 26, 201926 citations

Measures of Nonclassical Correlations and Quantum-Enhanced Interferometry

Matthias Lang

In the first part of this dissertation a framework for categorizing entropic measures of nonclassical correlations in bipartite quantum states is presented. The measures are based on the difference between a quantum entropic quantity and the corresponding classical quantity obtained from measurements on the two systems. Three types of entropic quantities are used, and three different measurement strategies are applied to these quantities. Many of the resulting measures of nonclassical correlations have been proposed previously. Properties of the various measures are explored, and results of evaluating the measures for two-qubit quantum states are presented. To demonstrate how these measures differ from entanglement we move to the set of Bell-diagonal states for two qubits, which can be depicted as a tetrahedron in three dimensions. We consider the level surfaces of entanglement and of the correlation measures from our framework for Bell-diagonal states. This provides a complete picture of the structure of entanglement and discord for this simple case and, in particular, of their nonanalytic behavior under decoherence. The pictorial approach also indicates how to show that all of the proposed correlation measures are neither convex nor concave. In the second part we look at two practical interferometric setups that use nonclassical states of light to enhance their performance. First we consider an interferometer powered by laser light (a coherent state) into one input port and ask the following question: what is the best state to inject into the second input port, given a constraint on the mean number of photons this state can carry, in order to optimize the interferometer's phase sensitivity? This question is the practical question for high-sensitivity interferometry. We answer the question by considering the quantum Cram\'er-Rao bound for such a setup. The answer is squeezed vacuum. Then we analyze the ultimate bounds on the phase sensitivity of an interferometer, given the constraint that the state input to the interferometer's initial 50:50 beam splitter B is a product state of the two input modes. Requiring a product state is a natural restriction: if one were allowed to input an arbitrary, entangled two-mode state $|\Xi \rangle$ to the beam splitter, one could generally just as easily input the state $B|\Xi \rangle$ directly into the two modes after the beam splitter, thus rendering the beam splitter unnecessary. We find optimal states for a fixed photon number and for a fixed mean photon number. Our results indicate that entanglement is not a crucial resource for quantum-enhanced interferometry. Initially the analysis for both of these setups is performed for the idealized case of a lossless interferometer. Then the analysis is extended to the more realistic scenario where the interferometer suffers from photon losses.In the first part of this dissertation a framework for categorizing entropic measures of nonclassical correlations in bipartite quantum states is presented. The measures are based on the difference between a quantum entropic quantity and the corresponding classical quantity obtained from measurements on the two systems. Three types of entropic quantities are used, and three different measurement strategies are applied to these quantities. Many of the resulting measures of nonclassical correlations have been proposed previously. Properties of the various measures are explored, and results of evaluating the measures for two-qubit quantum states are presented. To demonstrate how these measures differ from entanglement we move to the set of Bell-diagonal states for two qubits, which can be depicted as a tetrahedron in three dimensions. We consider the level surfaces of entanglement and of the correlation measures from our framework for Bell-diagonal states. This provides a complete picture of the structure of entanglement and discord for this simple case and, in particular, of their nonanalytic behavior under decoherence. The pictorial approach also indicates how to show that all of the proposed correlation measures are neither convex nor concave. In the second part we look at two practical interferometric setups that use nonclassical states of light to enhance their performance. First we consider an interferometer powered by laser light (a coherent state) into one input port and ask the following question: what is the best state to inject into the second input port, given a constraint on the mean number of photons this state can carry, in order to optimize the interferometer's phase sensitivity? This question is the practical question for high-sensitivity interferometry. We answer the question by considering the quantum Cram\'er-Rao bound for such a setup. The answer is squeezed vacuum. Then we analyze the ultimate bounds on the phase sensitivity of an interferometer, given the constraint that the state input to the interferometer's initial 50:50 beam splitter B is a product state of the two input modes. Requiring a product state is a natural restriction: if one were allowed to input an arbitrary, entangled two-mode state $|\Xi \rangle$ to the beam splitter, one could generally just as easily input the state $B|\Xi \rangle$ directly into the two modes after the beam splitter, thus rendering the beam splitter unnecessary. We find optimal states for a fixed photon number and for a fixed mean photon number. Our results indicate that entanglement is not a crucial resource for quantum-enhanced interferometry. Initially the analysis for both of these setups is performed for the idealized case of a lossless interferometer. Then the analysis is extended to the more realistic scenario where the interferometer suffers from photon losses.

Jan 1, 20150 citations

General quasiprobabilities are introduced to visualize time-dependent quantum correlations of light in phase space. They are based on the generalization of the Glauber-Sudarshan

P

function to a time-dependent

P

functional [W. Vogel, Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 013605 (2008)], which fully describes temporal correlations of radiation fields on the basis of continuous phase-space distributions. This approach is nontrivial, as the

P

functional itself is highly singular for many quantum states and nonlinear processes. In general, it yields neither a well-behaved nor an experimentally accessible description of quantum stochastic processes. Our regularized version of this multitime-dependent quasiprobability is a smooth function and applies to stronger divergences compared to the single-time and multimode scenario. The technique is used to characterize an optical parametric process with frequency mismatch and a strongly nonlinear evolution of the quantized center-of-mass motion of a trapped ion. A measurement scheme, together with a sampling approach, is provided which yields direct experimental access to the regularized

P

functional from measured data.

s

-ordered form, needed for the determination of the nonclassicality depth, is derived. For comparison, the derived criteria are applied both to an experimental photocount histogram of a twin beam and the reconstructed photon-number distributions with different levels of the noise.

|\Xi \rangle

to the beam splitter, one could generally just as easily input the state

B|\Xi \rangle

directly into the two modes after the beam splitter, thus rendering the beam splitter unnecessary. We find optimal states for a fixed photon number and for a fixed mean photon number. Our results indicate that entanglement is not a crucial resource for quantum-enhanced interferometry. Initially the analysis for both of these setups is performed for the idealized case of a lossless interferometer. Then the analysis is extended to the more realistic scenario where the interferometer suffers from photon losses.