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:2301.10702 · Physical Review A

Transforming photon statistics through zero-photon subtraction

Cory M. Nunn, S. U. Shringarpure, T. B. Pittman

Published Apr 25, 2023• 15 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Zero-photon subtraction (ZPS) is a conditional measurement process that can reduce the mean photon number of quantum optical states without physically removing any photons. Here we show that ZPS can also be used to transform certain super-Poissonian states into sub-Poissonian states and vice versa. Combined with a well-known ``no-go'' theorem on conditional measurements, this effect leads to a set of nonclassicality criteria that can be experimentally tested through ZPS measurements.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.107.043711

Related papers

Quantum state engineering by zero-photon subtraction (Conference Presentation)

Cory M. Nunn, S. U. Shringarpure, J. D. Franson +1 more

Single-photon subtraction (SPS) is useful for engineering optical quantum states and can be accomplished experimentally by heralding on the detection of one photon in the output port of a beamsplitter. Alternatively, conditioning on zero reflected photons modifies states by “zero-photon subtraction” (ZPS). Here we experimentally demonstrate that ZPS reduces the mean photon number of superpositions/mixtures of Fock states. The observed trends in attenuation show a dependence on the Mandel Q parameter for various input states, resulting in complementary behavior between SPS and ZPS. Theoretical results also show higher-order effects on the photon number distribution, beyond reduction in mean photon number.

Quantum Communications and Quantum Imaging•Oct 3, 2022•0 citations

Enhancing the performance of quantum radar with zero-photon subtraction

ShengLi Zhang, Liangsheng Li, Maoxin Liu +3 more

Quantum radar, also known as quantum illumination, is a type of quantum-sensing protocol for detecting noncooperative targets hidden in noisy environments. Recently, considerable research efforts have been focused on optimizing quantum illumination via conditional photon-detection methods, such as photon subtraction and photon catalysis of the entanglement source. However, to date, almost none of these studies have considered the probability of successful detection of nonzero photons. Often, the probability of conditional nonzero photon detection is extremely low, which may negate the advantage of conditional measurements in a quantum radar. In this paper, we propose enhancing the performance of quantum radars using zero-photon subtraction (ZPS), where no physical photons are subtracted from a given optical system. We demonstrate that the probability of ZPS is one or two orders of magnitude higher than that of nonzero photon detection. Our results show that ZPS helps enhance the performance of quantum radars, even when the probability of photon detection is considered. Moreover, in this paper, we consider a more realistic quantum radar in which target detection is performed using amplitude-damped quantum entanglement, which is more commonly used in the preparation of quantum entanglement in radar transmitters. This means that ZPS is a more efficient conditional photon-detection method for quantum illumination, providing a more robust scheme for developing future quantum radars.

Physical Review A•Feb 24, 2025•6 citations

Modifying quantum optical states by zero-photon subtraction

Cory M. Nunn, J. D. Franson, T. B. Pittman

The authors experimentally demonstrate that, counterintuitively, the heralding of zero photons in an ancillary mode can reduce the mean photon number in an optical mode despite the fact that no photons have been removed from the system. This scheme finds an immediate application in the process of noiseless attenuation.

arXiv:2112.11990•Physical Review A•Mar 2, 2022•24 citations

Multiphoton quantum-state engineering using conditional measurements

Omar S. Magaña‐Loaiza, Roberto de J. León‐Montiel, Armando Pérez-Leija +7 more

Abstract The quantum theory of electromagnetic radiation predicts characteristic statistical fluctuations for light sources as diverse as sunlight, laser radiation, and molecule fluorescence. Indeed, these underlying statistical fluctuations of light are associated with the fundamental physical processes behind their generation. In this contribution, we experimentally demonstrate that the manipulation of the quantum electromagnetic fluctuations of two-mode squeezed vacuum states leads to a family of quantum-correlated multiphoton states with tunable mean photon numbers and degree of correlation. Our technique relies on the use of conditional measurements to engineer the excitation mode of the field through the simultaneous subtraction of photons from two-mode squeezed vacuum states. The experimental generation of nonclassical multiphoton states by means of photon subtraction unveils novel mechanisms to control fundamental properties of light. As a remarkable example, we demonstrate the engineering of a quantum state of light with up to ten photons, exhibiting nearly Poissonian photon statistics, that constitutes an important step towards the generation of entangled lasers. Our technique enables a robust protocol to prepare quantum states with multiple photons in high-dimensional spaces and, as such, it constitutes a novel platform for exploring quantum phenomena in mesoscopic systems.

arXiv:1901.00122•npj Quantum Information•Sep 27, 2019•96 citations

Experimental Demonstration of Zero-Photon Subtraction

Cory M. Nunn, S. U. Shringarpure, J. D. Franson +1 more

We demonstrate conditional attenuation of quantum optical states by subtracting zero photons at a variable beam splitter. The attenuation exhibits an interesting dependence on initial photon statistics that mirrors the effects of single-photon subtraction.

Quantum 2.0 Conference and Exhibition•Jan 1, 2022•0 citations

Nonclassicality of photon-subtracted and photon-added-then-subtracted Gaussian states

Yang Yang, Fuli Li

By the use of nonclassical depth as a criterion for nonclassicality, we show that states generated by first adding (subtracting) multiphotons to an arbitrary state and then subtracting (adding) multiphotons from the resulting state is certainly nonclassical if the addition number of photons is equal to or larger than the subtraction number. The explicit expressions of nonclassical depth are found for both the single-photon-subtracted Gaussian state and the photon-added-then-subtracted thermal state. Based on the expressions, we show that the nonclassicality of the initial Gaussian state can be enhanced by the photon subtraction process. We also notice that the photon-added-then-subtracted thermal state is nonclassical if the initial thermal mean photon number is not zero, and the nonclassicality increases monotonously as the initial thermal mean photon number increases.

Journal of the Optical Society of America B•Mar 27, 2009•46 citations
Zero-photon subtraction (ZPS) is a conditional measurement process that can reduce the mean photon number of quantum optical states without physically removing any photons. Here we show that ZPS can also be used to transform certain super-Poissonian states into sub-Poissonian states and vice versa. Combined with a well-known ``no-go'' theorem on conditional measurements, this effect leads to a set of nonclassicality criteria that can be experimentally tested through ZPS measurements.
Single-photon subtraction (SPS) is useful for engineering optical quantum states and can be accomplished experimentally by heralding on the detection of one photon in the output port of a beamsplitter. Alternatively, conditioning on zero reflected photons modifies states by “zero-photon subtraction” (ZPS). Here we experimentally demonstrate that ZPS reduces the mean photon number of superpositions/mixtures of Fock states. The observed trends in attenuation show a dependence on the Mandel Q parameter for various input states, resulting in complementary behavior between SPS and ZPS. Theoretical results also show higher-order effects on the photon number distribution, beyond reduction in mean photon number.
Quantum radar, also known as quantum illumination, is a type of quantum-sensing protocol for detecting noncooperative targets hidden in noisy environments. Recently, considerable research efforts have been focused on optimizing quantum illumination via conditional photon-detection methods, such as photon subtraction and photon catalysis of the entanglement source. However, to date, almost none of these studies have considered the probability of successful detection of nonzero photons. Often, the probability of conditional nonzero photon detection is extremely low, which may negate the advantage of conditional measurements in a quantum radar. In this paper, we propose enhancing the performance of quantum radars using zero-photon subtraction (ZPS), where no physical photons are subtracted from a given optical system. We demonstrate that the probability of ZPS is one or two orders of magnitude higher than that of nonzero photon detection. Our results show that ZPS helps enhance the performance of quantum radars, even when the probability of photon detection is considered. Moreover, in this paper, we consider a more realistic quantum radar in which target detection is performed using amplitude-damped quantum entanglement, which is more commonly used in the preparation of quantum entanglement in radar transmitters. This means that ZPS is a more efficient conditional photon-detection method for quantum illumination, providing a more robust scheme for developing future quantum radars.
Abstract The quantum theory of electromagnetic radiation predicts characteristic statistical fluctuations for light sources as diverse as sunlight, laser radiation, and molecule fluorescence. Indeed, these underlying statistical fluctuations of light are associated with the fundamental physical processes behind their generation. In this contribution, we experimentally demonstrate that the manipulation of the quantum electromagnetic fluctuations of two-mode squeezed vacuum states leads to a family of quantum-correlated multiphoton states with tunable mean photon numbers and degree of correlation. Our technique relies on the use of conditional measurements to engineer the excitation mode of the field through the simultaneous subtraction of photons from two-mode squeezed vacuum states. The experimental generation of nonclassical multiphoton states by means of photon subtraction unveils novel mechanisms to control fundamental properties of light. As a remarkable example, we demonstrate the engineering of a quantum state of light with up to ten photons, exhibiting nearly Poissonian photon statistics, that constitutes an important step towards the generation of entangled lasers. Our technique enables a robust protocol to prepare quantum states with multiple photons in high-dimensional spaces and, as such, it constitutes a novel platform for exploring quantum phenomena in mesoscopic systems.
By the use of nonclassical depth as a criterion for nonclassicality, we show that states generated by first adding (subtracting) multiphotons to an arbitrary state and then subtracting (adding) multiphotons from the resulting state is certainly nonclassical if the addition number of photons is equal to or larger than the subtraction number. The explicit expressions of nonclassical depth are found for both the single-photon-subtracted Gaussian state and the photon-added-then-subtracted thermal state. Based on the expressions, we show that the nonclassicality of the initial Gaussian state can be enhanced by the photon subtraction process. We also notice that the photon-added-then-subtracted thermal state is nonclassical if the initial thermal mean photon number is not zero, and the nonclassicality increases monotonously as the initial thermal mean photon number increases.