Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:1609.09621 · Proceedings of the International School of Physics "Enrico Fermi"

Complementarity and light modes

R. W. Menzel

Published Sep 30, 2016• 1 citation
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

In quantum physics we are confronted with new entities which consist indivisible of an energy packet and a coupled wave. The complementarity principle for certain properties of these quantum objects may be their main mystery. Photons are especially useful to investigate these complementary properties. A series of new experiments using spontaneous parametric down conversion (SPDC) as a tool allowed the detailed analysis of the physical background of this complementarity and offers a new conceptual perspective. Based on these results a straightforward explanation of these sometimes counter-intuitive effects is given.

DOI
10.48550/arxiv.1609.09621

Related papers

Complementarity in single photon interference – the role of the mode function and vacuum fields

R. W. Menzel, Dirk Puhlmann, Axel Heuer

In earlier experiments the role of the vacuum fields could be demonstrated as the source of complementarity with respect to the temporal properties (Heuer et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 114:053601, 2015). Single photon first order interferences of spatially separated regions from the cone structure of spontaneous parametric down conversion allow for analyzing the role of the mode function in quantum optics regarding the complementarity principle. Here the spatial coherence properties of these vacuum fields are demonstrated as the physical reason for complementarity in these single photon quantum optical experiments. These results are directly connected to the mode picture in classical optics. The properties of the involved vacuum fields selected via the measurement process are the physical background of the complementarity principle in quantum optics.

Journal of the European Optical Society Rapid Publications•Mar 8, 2017•1 citation

Complementarity and entanglement

Jim Baggott

Abstract The results of the experiments described in the last chapter all point fairly unambiguously to a reality that is decidedly non-local in nature, at least in the quantum domain. Of course, these are results that come as no surprise to those willing to accept one of the most fundamental principles of the Copenhagen interpretation — that quantum phenomena are describable only in terms of the dual classical physical concepts of waves and particles. The wave properties of quantum entities lend them inherently non-local characteristics, and it is only when we forcibly ‘collapse’ the wave function by making a measurement that we are taken aback by what appears to be contradictory or counter-intuitive behaviour.

•Nov 6, 2003•6 citations

Complementarity in single photon interference - the role of mode functions and vacuum fields

R. W. Menzel, Dirk Puhlmann, Axel Heuer

Single photon first order interferences of spatially separated regions from the cone structure of spontaneous parametric down conversion allow for analyzing the role of the mode function in quantum optics. In earlier experiments the role of the vacuum fields could be demonstrated in induced coherence experiments as the source of complementarity \cite{Heu14}. Here the spatial coherence properties of these vacuum fields are measured and as the physical reason for complementarity in single photon quantum optics demonstrated.

arXiv:1512.05930•Dec 18, 2015•0 citations

Second-Order Duality of Light and its Nonclassical Complementarity

Rikizo Ikuta

A single photon exhibits wave-particle duality in the Young's double-slit interferometer. The duality character-ized by an interference visibility$V$as the wave-like property and a which-path information$D$as the particle-like property has tradeoff relation$D^{2}+V^{2}\leq 1$known as complementarity [1]–[3]. There are a lot of studies about the complementary nature of photons from various viewpoints such as delayed-choice experiments, theoretical works related to the uncertainty principle, and so on. More recently, studies have expanded the concept of the wave-particle duality to higher-order interferometric scenarios, in which the input light includes two or more pho-tons [4], [5]. Despite having a long history, all previous studies have been related to phase correlation of optical states, which reason would be why the main focus in the first place is the investigation of the mysterious quantum nature of a photon, including the superposition principle.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe & European Quantum Electronics Conference (CLEO/Europe-EQEC)•Jun 26, 2023•0 citations

The Quantum nature of light

J. C. Garrison, R. Y. Chiao

This chapter begins with a survey of early experimental results — the Planck spectrum, the photoelectric effect, and Compton scattering — that are usually presented as evidence for the existence of photons. The photon concept is indeed sufficient to explain these results, but it is not necessary. There are semi-classical models that explain the same data without introducing photons. The crucial experiment, in which light consisting of a single photon reflects from a beam splitter, depends on the essential indivisibility of photons, and it excludes all semi-classical descriptions of light. This discussion is followed by a preview of modern methods of production and detection of individual photons, e.g., spontaneous down conversion and Silicon avalanche-photodiode counters, together with an introduction to the quantum theory of light based on the correspondence principle.

Oxford University Press eBooks•Jun 5, 2008•0 citations

Light beats quantum mechanics

John Jeffers

The mathematics of quantum theory is based on operators rather than numbers. In optics this simple fact allows statistical quantities, such as the fluctuations in the electric field of a light beam, to be smaller than is allowed by classical physics. Experiments that measure these quantities can generally be divided into two types, depending on whether they measure the wave or the particle properties of light. This is in line with the "complementarity principle" of quantum mechanics, which states that the wave and particle aspects of a system cannot be observed at the same time.

Physics World•Nov 1, 2000•1 citation
In quantum physics we are confronted with new entities which consist indivisible of an energy packet and a coupled wave. The complementarity principle for certain properties of these quantum objects may be their main mystery. Photons are especially useful to investigate these complementary properties. A series of new experiments using spontaneous parametric down conversion (SPDC) as a tool allowed the detailed analysis of the physical background of this complementarity and offers a new conceptual perspective. Based on these results a straightforward explanation of these sometimes counter-intuitive effects is given.
In earlier experiments the role of the vacuum fields could be demonstrated as the source of complementarity with respect to the temporal properties (Heuer et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 114:053601, 2015). Single photon first order interferences of spatially separated regions from the cone structure of spontaneous parametric down conversion allow for analyzing the role of the mode function in quantum optics regarding the complementarity principle. Here the spatial coherence properties of these vacuum fields are demonstrated as the physical reason for complementarity in these single photon quantum optical experiments. These results are directly connected to the mode picture in classical optics. The properties of the involved vacuum fields selected via the measurement process are the physical background of the complementarity principle in quantum optics.
Abstract The results of the experiments described in the last chapter all point fairly unambiguously to a reality that is decidedly non-local in nature, at least in the quantum domain. Of course, these are results that come as no surprise to those willing to accept one of the most fundamental principles of the Copenhagen interpretation — that quantum phenomena are describable only in terms of the dual classical physical concepts of waves and particles. The wave properties of quantum entities lend them inherently non-local characteristics, and it is only when we forcibly ‘collapse’ the wave function by making a measurement that we are taken aback by what appears to be contradictory or counter-intuitive behaviour.
Single photon first order interferences of spatially separated regions from the cone structure of spontaneous parametric down conversion allow for analyzing the role of the mode function in quantum optics. In earlier experiments the role of the vacuum fields could be demonstrated in induced coherence experiments as the source of complementarity \cite{Heu14}. Here the spatial coherence properties of these vacuum fields are measured and as the physical reason for complementarity in single photon quantum optics demonstrated.
A single photon exhibits wave-particle duality in the Young's double-slit interferometer. The duality character-ized by an interference visibilityVVVas the wave-like property and a which-path informationDDDas the particle-like property has tradeoff relationD2+V2≤1D^{2}+V^{2}\leq 1D2+V2≤1known as complementarity [1]–[3]. There are a lot of studies about the complementary nature of photons from various viewpoints such as delayed-choice experiments, theoretical works related to the uncertainty principle, and so on. More recently, studies have expanded the concept of the wave-particle duality to higher-order interferometric scenarios, in which the input light includes two or more pho-tons [4], [5]. Despite having a long history, all previous studies have been related to phase correlation of optical states, which reason would be why the main focus in the first place is the investigation of the mysterious quantum nature of a photon, including the superposition principle.
This chapter begins with a survey of early experimental results — the Planck spectrum, the photoelectric effect, and Compton scattering — that are usually presented as evidence for the existence of photons. The photon concept is indeed sufficient to explain these results, but it is not necessary. There are semi-classical models that explain the same data without introducing photons. The crucial experiment, in which light consisting of a single photon reflects from a beam splitter, depends on the essential indivisibility of photons, and it excludes all semi-classical descriptions of light. This discussion is followed by a preview of modern methods of production and detection of individual photons, e.g., spontaneous down conversion and Silicon avalanche-photodiode counters, together with an introduction to the quantum theory of light based on the correspondence principle.
The mathematics of quantum theory is based on operators rather than numbers. In optics this simple fact allows statistical quantities, such as the fluctuations in the electric field of a light beam, to be smaller than is allowed by classical physics. Experiments that measure these quantities can generally be divided into two types, depending on whether they measure the wave or the particle properties of light. This is in line with the "complementarity principle" of quantum mechanics, which states that the wave and particle aspects of a system cannot be observed at the same time.