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:1611.01793 · Physical Review A

Squeezing in a nonlocal photon fluid

Maria Chiara Braidotti, Antonio Mecozzi, Claudio Conti

Published Oct 10, 2017• 7 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Quantum fluids of light are an emerging tool employed in quantum many-body physics. Their amazing properties and versatility allow using them in a wide variety of fields including gravitation, quantum information, and simulation. However the implications of the quantum nature of light in nonlinear optical propagation are still missing many features. We theoretically predict classical spontaneous squeezing of a photon fluid in a nonlocal nonlinear medium. By using the so called Gamow vectors, we show that the quadratures of a coherent state get squeezed and that a maximal squeezing power exists. Our analysis holds true for temporal and spatial optical propagation in a highly nonlocal regime. These results lead to advances in the quantum photon fluids research and may inspire applications in fields like metrology and analogs of quantum gravity.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.96.043823

Related papers

Generalized uncertainty principle and squeezing in nonlinear nonlocal photon fluids

Maria Chiara Braidotti, Antonio Mecozzi, Claudio Conti

We theoretically predict classical squeezing of nonlinear photon fluids. Techniques of time-asymmetric quantum mechanics allow showing that Gaussian states develop squeezing spontaneously in nonlocal nonlinear media. These results open new opportunities for quantum nonlinear optics.

Nonlinear Optics•Jan 1, 2017•0 citations

Propagation of a quantum fluid of light in a cavityless nonlinear optical medium: General theory and response to quantum quenches

Pierre-Élie Larré, Iacopo Carusotto

Making use of a generalized quantum theory of paraxial light propagation where the radiation-axis and the temporal coordinates play exchanged roles, we discuss the potential of bulk nonlinear optical media in cavityless configurations for quantum statistical mechanics studies of the conservative many-body dynamics of a gas of interacting photons. To illustrate the general features of this point of view, we investigate the response of the fluid of light to the quantum quenches in the photon-photon interaction constant experienced at the front and the back faces of a finite slab of weakly nonlinear material. Extending the standard Bogoliubov theory of dilute Bose-Einstein condensates, peculiar features are predicted for the statistical properties of the light emerging from the nonlinear medium.

arXiv:1412.5405•Physical Review A•Oct 2, 2015•75 citations

Quantum fluids of light

Iacopo Carusotto, Cristiano Ciuti

This article reviews recent theoretical and experimental advances in the fundamental understanding and active control of quantum fluids of light in nonlinear optical systems. In the presence of effective photon-photon interactions induced by the optical nonlinearity of the medium, a many-photon system can behave collectively as a quantum fluid with a number of novel features stemming from its intrinsically nonequilibrium nature. A rich variety of recently observed photon hydrodynamical effects is presented, from the superfluid flow around a defect at low speeds, to the appearance of a Mach-Cherenkov cone in a supersonic flow, to the hydrodynamic formation of topological excitations such as quantized vortices and dark solitons at the surface of large impenetrable obstacles. While the review is mostly focused on a specific class of semiconductor systems that have been extensively studied in recent years (planar semiconductor microcavities in the strong light-matter coupling regime having cavity polaritons as elementary excitations), the very concept of quantum fluids of light applies to a broad spectrum of systems, ranging from bulk nonlinear crystals, to atomic clouds embedded in optical fibers and cavities, to photonic crystal cavities, to superconducting quantum circuits based on Josephson junctions. The conclusive part of the article is devoted to a review of the future perspectives in the direction of strongly correlated photon gases and of artificial gauge fields for photons. In particular, several mechanisms to obtain efficient photon blockade are presented, together with their application to the generation of novel quantum phases.

arXiv:1205.6500•Reviews of Modern Physics•Feb 21, 2013•2,073 citations

Quantum nonlinear optics: applications to quantum metrology, imaging, and information

Ryan T. Glasser

The fields of quantum and nonlinear optics have given rise to a variety of nonclassical states of light that have been proven to surpass certain limitations set by classical physics. Namely, certain squeezed and entangled states have been shown to beat the shot-noise limit when making precision phase measurements in interferometry, as well as write lithographic patterns that are smaller than classically allowed by the Rayleigh diffraction limit. Additionally, single-photon sources and entangled photon pairs have given rise to provably secure quantum key distribution for cryptography. Producing these quantum states of light has proven a difficult task. Nonlinear crystals, when pumped by a laser, produce pairs of single photons via the process of spontaneous parametric down conversion (SPDC). This process is mediated by the second order nonlinear susceptibility of the material. When pumped in a high gain regime, these crystals give rise to optical parametric amplification, which is a viable source of squeezed light. The vast majority of research in this area has focused on crystals that are seeded by vacuum in their two modes. This dissertation concerns the field of quantum nonlinear optics. It is an investigation into the processes that occur when nonlinear materials interact with the electromagnetic field on the single photon level. I have focused on seeding nonlinear crystals with quantum states of light, including single photons and entangled states. This process results in various states directly applicable to interferometry, imaging, and cryptography. Another application investigated is an absolute radiance measurement via stimulated parametric down conversion resulting from non-vacuum seeding of a nonlinear crystal. Additionally, other nonlinear processes, including four-wave mixing, nonlinear magneto-optical effects and coherent population trapping in warm atomic vapor involving quantum states of light are investigated. The process of seeding third-order nonlinear interactions, such as in atomic vapors, gives rise to a variety of interesting, nonclassical phenomena such as entangled image transfer and nonlocal imaging. Strong analogies between SPDC and four-wave mixing are drawn. I also experimentally show an all optical pi-only phase shift of one light beam via another in warm Cesium vapor.

Civil War Book Review•Mar 27, 2009•0 citations

Experimental characterization of nonlocal photon fluids

David Vocke, Thomas Roger, Francesco Marino +4 more

Quantum gases of atoms and exciton-polaritons are now well-established theoretical and experimental tools for fundamental studies of quantum many-body physics and suggest promising applications to quantum computing. Given their technological complexity, it is of paramount interest to devise other systems where such quantum many-body physics can be investigated at lesser technological expense. Here we examine a relatively well-known system of laser light propagating through thermo-optical defocusing media: based on a hydrodynamic description of light as a quantum fluid of interacting photons, we investigate such systems as a valid room-temperature alternative to atomic or exciton-polariton condensates for studies of many-body physics. First, we show that by using a technique traditionally used in oceanography it is possible to perform a direct measurement of the single-particle part of the dispersion relation of the elementary excitations on top of the photon fluid and to detect its global flow. Then, using a pump-and-probe setup, we investigate the dispersion of excitation modes of the fluid: for very long wavelengths, a sonic, dispersionless propagation is observed that we interpret as a signature of superfluid behavior. (C) 2015 Optical Society of America.

Optica•May 13, 2015•95 citations

Experimental characterisation of nonlocal photon superfluids

David Vocke, Thomas Roger, Francesco Marino +4 more

Quantum gases of atoms and exciton-polaritons are nowadays a well established theoretical and experimental tool for fundamental studies of quantum many-body physics and suggest promising applications to quantum computing. Given their technological complexity, it is of paramount interest to devise other systems where such quantum many-body physics can be investigated at a lesser technological expense. Here we examine a relatively well-known system of laser light propagating through thermo-optical defocusing media: based on a hydrodynamical description of light as a quantum fluid of interacting photons, we investigate such systems as a valid, room temperature alternative to atomic or exciton-polariton condensates for studies of many-body physics. First, we show that by using a technique traditionally used in oceanography, it is possible to perform a direct measurement of the single-particle part of the dispersion relation of the elementary excitations on top of the photon fluid and to detect its global flow. Then, using a pump-and-probe set-up, we investigate the collective nature of low-wavevector sound modes of the fluid and observe signatures of superfluid behaviour.

arXiv:1501.06728•Jan 27, 2015•1 citation
Quantum fluids of light are an emerging tool employed in quantum many-body physics. Their amazing properties and versatility allow using them in a wide variety of fields including gravitation, quantum information, and simulation. However the implications of the quantum nature of light in nonlinear optical propagation are still missing many features. We theoretically predict classical spontaneous squeezing of a photon fluid in a nonlocal nonlinear medium. By using the so called Gamow vectors, we show that the quadratures of a coherent state get squeezed and that a maximal squeezing power exists. Our analysis holds true for temporal and spatial optical propagation in a highly nonlocal regime. These results lead to advances in the quantum photon fluids research and may inspire applications in fields like metrology and analogs of quantum gravity.
Making use of a generalized quantum theory of paraxial light propagation where the radiation-axis and the temporal coordinates play exchanged roles, we discuss the potential of bulk nonlinear optical media in cavityless configurations for quantum statistical mechanics studies of the conservative many-body dynamics of a gas of interacting photons. To illustrate the general features of this point of view, we investigate the response of the fluid of light to the quantum quenches in the photon-photon interaction constant experienced at the front and the back faces of a finite slab of weakly nonlinear material. Extending the standard Bogoliubov theory of dilute Bose-Einstein condensates, peculiar features are predicted for the statistical properties of the light emerging from the nonlinear medium.
This article reviews recent theoretical and experimental advances in the fundamental understanding and active control of quantum fluids of light in nonlinear optical systems. In the presence of effective photon-photon interactions induced by the optical nonlinearity of the medium, a many-photon system can behave collectively as a quantum fluid with a number of novel features stemming from its intrinsically nonequilibrium nature. A rich variety of recently observed photon hydrodynamical effects is presented, from the superfluid flow around a defect at low speeds, to the appearance of a Mach-Cherenkov cone in a supersonic flow, to the hydrodynamic formation of topological excitations such as quantized vortices and dark solitons at the surface of large impenetrable obstacles. While the review is mostly focused on a specific class of semiconductor systems that have been extensively studied in recent years (planar semiconductor microcavities in the strong light-matter coupling regime having cavity polaritons as elementary excitations), the very concept of quantum fluids of light applies to a broad spectrum of systems, ranging from bulk nonlinear crystals, to atomic clouds embedded in optical fibers and cavities, to photonic crystal cavities, to superconducting quantum circuits based on Josephson junctions. The conclusive part of the article is devoted to a review of the future perspectives in the direction of strongly correlated photon gases and of artificial gauge fields for photons. In particular, several mechanisms to obtain efficient photon blockade are presented, together with their application to the generation of novel quantum phases.
The fields of quantum and nonlinear optics have given rise to a variety of nonclassical states of light that have been proven to surpass certain limitations set by classical physics. Namely, certain squeezed and entangled states have been shown to beat the shot-noise limit when making precision phase measurements in interferometry, as well as write lithographic patterns that are smaller than classically allowed by the Rayleigh diffraction limit. Additionally, single-photon sources and entangled photon pairs have given rise to provably secure quantum key distribution for cryptography. Producing these quantum states of light has proven a difficult task. Nonlinear crystals, when pumped by a laser, produce pairs of single photons via the process of spontaneous parametric down conversion (SPDC). This process is mediated by the second order nonlinear susceptibility of the material. When pumped in a high gain regime, these crystals give rise to optical parametric amplification, which is a viable source of squeezed light. The vast majority of research in this area has focused on crystals that are seeded by vacuum in their two modes. This dissertation concerns the field of quantum nonlinear optics. It is an investigation into the processes that occur when nonlinear materials interact with the electromagnetic field on the single photon level. I have focused on seeding nonlinear crystals with quantum states of light, including single photons and entangled states. This process results in various states directly applicable to interferometry, imaging, and cryptography. Another application investigated is an absolute radiance measurement via stimulated parametric down conversion resulting from non-vacuum seeding of a nonlinear crystal. Additionally, other nonlinear processes, including four-wave mixing, nonlinear magneto-optical effects and coherent population trapping in warm atomic vapor involving quantum states of light are investigated. The process of seeding third-order nonlinear interactions, such as in atomic vapors, gives rise to a variety of interesting, nonclassical phenomena such as entangled image transfer and nonlocal imaging. Strong analogies between SPDC and four-wave mixing are drawn. I also experimentally show an all optical pi-only phase shift of one light beam via another in warm Cesium vapor.
Quantum gases of atoms and exciton-polaritons are now well-established theoretical and experimental tools for fundamental studies of quantum many-body physics and suggest promising applications to quantum computing. Given their technological complexity, it is of paramount interest to devise other systems where such quantum many-body physics can be investigated at lesser technological expense. Here we examine a relatively well-known system of laser light propagating through thermo-optical defocusing media: based on a hydrodynamic description of light as a quantum fluid of interacting photons, we investigate such systems as a valid room-temperature alternative to atomic or exciton-polariton condensates for studies of many-body physics. First, we show that by using a technique traditionally used in oceanography it is possible to perform a direct measurement of the single-particle part of the dispersion relation of the elementary excitations on top of the photon fluid and to detect its global flow. Then, using a pump-and-probe setup, we investigate the dispersion of excitation modes of the fluid: for very long wavelengths, a sonic, dispersionless propagation is observed that we interpret as a signature of superfluid behavior. (C) 2015 Optical Society of America.
Quantum gases of atoms and exciton-polaritons are nowadays a well established theoretical and experimental tool for fundamental studies of quantum many-body physics and suggest promising applications to quantum computing. Given their technological complexity, it is of paramount interest to devise other systems where such quantum many-body physics can be investigated at a lesser technological expense. Here we examine a relatively well-known system of laser light propagating through thermo-optical defocusing media: based on a hydrodynamical description of light as a quantum fluid of interacting photons, we investigate such systems as a valid, room temperature alternative to atomic or exciton-polariton condensates for studies of many-body physics. First, we show that by using a technique traditionally used in oceanography, it is possible to perform a direct measurement of the single-particle part of the dispersion relation of the elementary excitations on top of the photon fluid and to detect its global flow. Then, using a pump-and-probe set-up, we investigate the collective nature of low-wavevector sound modes of the fluid and observe signatures of superfluid behaviour.