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Journal of Experimental and Theoretical Physics

Polarization of light: Fourth-order effects and polarization-squeezed states

D. M. Klyshko

Published Jun 1, 1997• 77 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The polarization properties of a monochromatic beam of light are ordinarily determined by three numbers, for example, the Stokes parameters. However, three numbers are no longer sufficient when intensity fluctuations in the polarized modes (or the correlation between them) are recorded. It is shown that in this case nine parameters, which can be arranged into 3×3 matrices, must be prescribed. The transformation properties of these matrices under polarization converters and the invariants of the matrices are analyzed. Specifically, the fourth-order polarization P 4 is introduced. Several examples are examined of light with “hidden” polarization—light which is not polarized in the ordinary sense ( P 2 =0) but is polarized in fourth order ( P 4 ≠0)—as well as “polarization-squeezed” light in which the quantum fluctuations of the Stokes parameters are suppressed.

DOI
10.1134/1.558243

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The polarization properties of a monochromatic beam of light are ordinarily determined by three numbers, for example, the Stokes parameters. However, three numbers are no longer sufficient when intensity fluctuations in the polarized modes (or the correlation between them) are recorded. It is shown that in this case nine parameters, which can be arranged into 3×3 matrices, must be prescribed. The transformation properties of these matrices under polarization converters and the invariants of the matrices are analyzed. Specifically, the fourth-order polarization P 4 is introduced. Several examples are examined of light with “hidden” polarization—light which is not polarized in the ordinary sense ( P 2 =0) but is polarized in fourth order ( P 4 ≠0)—as well as “polarization-squeezed” light in which the quantum fluctuations of the Stokes parameters are suppressed.
A concept of polarization entanglement for continuous variables is introduced. For this purpose the Stokes-parameter operators and the associated Poincar\'e sphere, which describe the quantum-optical polarization properties of light, are defined and their basic properties are reviewed. The general features of the Stokes operators are illustrated by evaluation of their means and variances for a range of simple polarization states. Some of the examples show polarization squeezing, in which the variances of one or more Stokes parameters are smaller than the coherent-state value. The main object of the paper is the application of these concepts to bright squeezed light. It is shown that a light beam formed by interference of two orthogonally polarized quadrature-squeezed beams exhibits squeezing in some of the Stokes parameters. Passage of such a primary polarization-squeezed beam through suitable optical components generates a pair of polarization-entangled light beams with the nature of a two-mode squeezed state. Implementation of these schemes using the double-fiber Sagnac interferometer provides an efficient method for the generation of bright nonclassical polarization states. The important advantage of these nonclassical polarization states for quantum communication is the possibility of experimentally determining all of the relevant conjugate variables of both squeezed and entangled fields using only linear optical elements followed by direct detection.
We consider polarization-squeezed (PS) light generation in anisotropic homogeneous Kerr medium. The fluctuations of the Stokes parameter either S2 or S3 are suppressed in PS light. The influence of initial light depolarization on the fluctuation suppression of the Stokes parameters is analyzed. We show the possibility to transform PS light into light with sub-Poissonian statistics by linear conversion (phase plate and analyzer). The quantum properties of the SH generated by frequency doubling of the PS light are investigated.
A brief review of theoretical studies of the quantum state of polarization of light exhibiting the level of fluctuations in at least one of the Stokes parameters which is below the quantum noise limit is presented. Two approaches to generation of polarization-squeezed state of light are analyzed in detail: by propagating coherent radiation in a cubic nonlinear medium and by mixing radiation of two orthogonally polarized quadrature-squeezed modes. The degree of polarization of light is discussed. Other areas of quantum polarization optics, in particular, entanglement of quantum Stokes parameters and quantum polarization tomography, are also discussed.
In our paper we consider the non-classical behaviour of both the Hermitian (observable) Stokes parameters of light and the phase difference of two modes that describe the quantum polarization states of optical field. To characterize the degree of polarization of light we introduce a new quantity taking into account the quantum properties of different quantum states of two orthogonally polarized modes. The problem of determination of the phase difference in two modes of optical field for the quantum polarization states of light is discussed. To describe in general such a quantum field we introduce two pairs of the phase operators: the phase angles for the Stokes parameters of light in a three-dimensional picture of the Poincaré sphere. We also consider a special type of the eight-port polarization interferometer (polarimeter) for simultaneous homodyne detection of both the Stokes parameters of light and the polarization phase operators and their fluctuations as well. Using an anisotropic (spatioperiodic) Kerr-like nonlinear medium associated with the polarization interferometer we could generate and also observe the polarization-squeezed phase states of light. The fluctuations in the phase difference between two orthogonally polarized modes for these non-classical states are less than the fluctuations for light in coherent state.
We comprehensively review the quantum theory of the polarization properties of light. In classical optics, these traits are characterized by the Stokes parameters, which can be geometrically interpreted using the Poincaré sphere. Remarkably, these Stokes parameters can also be applied to the quantum world, but then important differences emerge: now, because fluctuations in the number of photons are unavoidable, one is forced to work in the three-dimensional Poincaré space that can be regarded as a set of nested spheres. Additionally, higher-order moments of the Stokes variables might play a substantial role for quantum states, which is not the case for most classical Gaussian states. This brings about important differences between these two worlds that we review in detail. In particular, the classical degree of polarization produces unsatisfactory results in the quantum domain. We compare alternative quantum degrees and put forth that they order various states differently. Finally, intrinsically nonclassical states are explored, and their potential applications in quantum technologies are discussed.
The quantum theory of polarizing light and the Stokes operators are applied to the study of the evolutions of polarization states of light in the processes of i nteraction with atoms in the case with or without Kerr medium. The non_classic b ehavior in the fluctuations of Stokes parameters for the polarizing light and th eir squeezing are investigated. The polarization ellipse, the degree of polariza tion of the field in quantum optics and the signal_to_noise ratio in the Stokes parameters are discussed. It is shown that the modulated oscillations appear in the evolutions of Stokes parameters and their fluctuations. These oscillations c ollapse and revive intermittently. The polarization ellipse does not vary in the interaction with atoms but the degree of polarization will oscillate. Kerr medi um changes these oscillations distinctly.