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:2009.10314 · Optics Letters

Detector self-tomography

Raúl Cónsul, Alfredo Luis

Published Nov 16, 2020• 4 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We present an intuitive model of detector self-tomography. Two identical realizations of the detector are illuminated by an entangled state that connects the joint statistics in a way in which each detector sees the other as a kind of mirror reflection. A suitable analysis of the statistics reveals the possibility of fully characterizing the detector. We apply this idea to Bell-type experiments, revealing their nonclassical nature.

DOI
10.1364/ol.410265

Related papers

Detector self-tomography

Raúl Cónsul, Luis Aina, Alfredo

We present an intuitive model of detector self-tomography. Two identical realizations of the detector are illuminated by an entangled state that connects the joint statistics in a way in which each detector sees the other as a kind of mirror reflection. A suitable analysis of the statistics reveals the possibility of fully characterizing the detector. We apply this idea to Bell-type experiments, revealing their nonclassical nature.

•Dec 15, 2020•4 citations

Apparatus contribution to observed nonclassicality

Alfredo Luis, Laura Ares

Any nonclassical effect noticed in measured statistics is usually attributed just to the light state being observed. According to Born's rule, quantum probabilities are given by the overlap between the system state and measurement states in a quite symmetrical way. We demonstrate that the nonclassicality of the measurement is a necessary condition to obtain nonclassical statistics. To this end, we present a detector characterization for two-observable joint detection processes based on detector tomography. This is particularized to the most common signatures of nonclassical light.

Physical Review A•Aug 21, 2020•9 citations

Identifying nonclassicality of multiphoton and multimode quantum states directly from experimental detector outcomes

Tim J. Bartley, Gaia Donati, Xian Jin +3 more

We show experimentally how nonclassical statistics arise directly from the joint outcomes of multiplexed on-off detectors on two-mode, multiphoton optical states. This identifies a possible route to an entanglement witness using this scheme.

Frontiers in Optics•Jan 1, 2014•0 citations

Self-calibration for self-consistent tomography

Dmitri S. Mogilevtsev, Jaroslav Řeháček, Z. Hradil

Self-calibrating states are introduced as quantum resources for the simultaneous reconstruction of a quantum state and measurement device. Simple criteria for a state being self-calibrating are formulated. Theory applies to realistic state estimation scenarios, where the detection model is nonlinear in unknown parameters of the measuring device. Examples discussed include time multiplexed detection with on/off detectors and quantum homodyne tomography. The thermally noised single-photon states and Gaussian states are self-calibrating for these schemes. For homodyne tomography, statistical tests applied to raw measured data are sufficient for judging whether or not the signal state is self-calibrating without any a priori information.

New Journal of Physics•Sep 3, 2012•37 citations

Experimental Self-Characterization of Quantum Measurements

Aonan Zhang, Jie Xie, Huichao Xu +5 more

The accurate and reliable description of measurement devices is a central problem in both observing uniquely nonclassical behaviors and realizing quantum technologies from powerful computing to precision metrology. To date quantum tomography is the prevalent tool to characterize quantum detectors. However, such a characterization relies on accurately characterized probe states, rendering reliability of the characterization lost in circular argument. Here we report a self-characterization method of quantum measurements based on reconstructing the response range-the entirety of attainable measurement outcomes, eliminating the reliance on known states. We characterize two representative measurements implemented with photonic setups and obtain fidelities above 99.99% with the conventional tomographic reconstructions. This initiates range-based techniques in characterizing quantum systems and foreshadows novel device-independent protocols of quantum information applications.

arXiv:1907.07536•Physical Review Letters•Jan 28, 2020•26 citations

Quantum detector tomography applied to the human visual system: a feasibility study

Thomas H. A. van der Reep, Dylan Molenaar, W. Löffler +1 more

We show that quantum detector tomography can be applied to the human visual system to explore human perception of photon number states. In detector tomography, instead of using very hard-to-produce photon number states, the response of a detector to light pulses with known photon statistics of varying intensity is recorded, and a model is fitted to the experimental outcomes, thereby inferring the detector's photon number state response. Generally, light pulses containing a Poisson-distributed number of photons are utilized, which are very easy to produce in the lab. This technique has not been explored to study the human visual system before because it usually requires a very large number of repetitions not suitable for experiments on humans. Yet, in the present study we show that detector tomography is feasible for human experiments. Assuming a simple model for this accuracy, the results of our simulations show that detector tomography is able to reconstruct the model using Bayesian inference with as few as 5000 trials. We then optimize the experimental parameters in order to maximize the probability of showing that the single-photon accuracy is above chance. As such, our study opens the road to study human perception on the quantum level.

arXiv:2209.06693•Journal of the Optical Society of America A•Dec 16, 2022•2 citations
We present an intuitive model of detector self-tomography. Two identical realizations of the detector are illuminated by an entangled state that connects the joint statistics in a way in which each detector sees the other as a kind of mirror reflection. A suitable analysis of the statistics reveals the possibility of fully characterizing the detector. We apply this idea to Bell-type experiments, revealing their nonclassical nature.
Any nonclassical effect noticed in measured statistics is usually attributed just to the light state being observed. According to Born's rule, quantum probabilities are given by the overlap between the system state and measurement states in a quite symmetrical way. We demonstrate that the nonclassicality of the measurement is a necessary condition to obtain nonclassical statistics. To this end, we present a detector characterization for two-observable joint detection processes based on detector tomography. This is particularized to the most common signatures of nonclassical light.
Self-calibrating states are introduced as quantum resources for the simultaneous reconstruction of a quantum state and measurement device. Simple criteria for a state being self-calibrating are formulated. Theory applies to realistic state estimation scenarios, where the detection model is nonlinear in unknown parameters of the measuring device. Examples discussed include time multiplexed detection with on/off detectors and quantum homodyne tomography. The thermally noised single-photon states and Gaussian states are self-calibrating for these schemes. For homodyne tomography, statistical tests applied to raw measured data are sufficient for judging whether or not the signal state is self-calibrating without any a priori information.
The accurate and reliable description of measurement devices is a central problem in both observing uniquely nonclassical behaviors and realizing quantum technologies from powerful computing to precision metrology. To date quantum tomography is the prevalent tool to characterize quantum detectors. However, such a characterization relies on accurately characterized probe states, rendering reliability of the characterization lost in circular argument. Here we report a self-characterization method of quantum measurements based on reconstructing the response range-the entirety of attainable measurement outcomes, eliminating the reliance on known states. We characterize two representative measurements implemented with photonic setups and obtain fidelities above 99.99% with the conventional tomographic reconstructions. This initiates range-based techniques in characterizing quantum systems and foreshadows novel device-independent protocols of quantum information applications.
We show that quantum detector tomography can be applied to the human visual system to explore human perception of photon number states. In detector tomography, instead of using very hard-to-produce photon number states, the response of a detector to light pulses with known photon statistics of varying intensity is recorded, and a model is fitted to the experimental outcomes, thereby inferring the detector's photon number state response. Generally, light pulses containing a Poisson-distributed number of photons are utilized, which are very easy to produce in the lab. This technique has not been explored to study the human visual system before because it usually requires a very large number of repetitions not suitable for experiments on humans. Yet, in the present study we show that detector tomography is feasible for human experiments. Assuming a simple model for this accuracy, the results of our simulations show that detector tomography is able to reconstruct the model using Bayesian inference with as few as 5000 trials. We then optimize the experimental parameters in order to maximize the probability of showing that the single-photon accuracy is above chance. As such, our study opens the road to study human perception on the quantum level.