Physica Scripta

Quantum phase and phase dependent measurements

W. P. Schleich, Stephen Mark Barnett

Published Jan 1, 1993• 74 citations

Abstract

The correct description of the phase variable in quantum mechanics is a question rooted in its earliest formulations. The atom mechanics [1] of Bohr and Sommerfeld—the precursor of modern quantum mechanics—ascribes a central role to action-angle variables. However, Heisenberg's matrix mechanics and Schrödinger's wave mechanics are formulated [2] in terms of the canonical variables representing cartesian coordinates and momenta. Stimulated by this work London [3] attempted a reformulation of these theories in the previously favored action-angle variables. However, this attempt failed due to the difficulty in ascribing quantum operators to the angle variables of classical theory. Despite these difficulties London found [4] an operator representation of the complex exponential of these angle variables. The quantum phase of light made its first appearance in Dirac's classic paper [5] on the quantization of the radiation field. In contrast to modern methods, he constructed the annihilation and creation operators for each field mode from the corresponding amplitude and phase operators. Phase and its quantum nature acquired new significance with the development of lasers in the early sixties: theoretical investigations highlighted significant problems with Dirac's original proposal for the phase operator. A particularly elegant illustration of the difficulty was given by Louisell [6] in 1963. The advent of phase sensitive quantum noise as demonstrated experimentally in the production and detection of squeezed light [7] has created a new wave of interest in the nature of quantum optical phase leading to the discovery of the hermitian optical phase operator [8]. There has followed an explosion of theoretical activity in this area stimulating fresh experimental investigations. In preparing this special issue we have attempted to present the current state of this active and rapidly moving field. We have arranged the papers into what we hope is a coherent representation of the field. The first papers give a historical perspective and overview of current thinking. The two recent experimental investigations which follow are intimately connected to the phase space description of quantum mechanics based on quasi-probability distributions. The representa tion of phase via phase space and its connection with phase-dependent measurements and the phase operator are addressed in the next section. Some more formal considerations pertinent to phase are presented in the following section. Gravitational wave detection and optical communication have motivated the study of the limits of phase noise. Some recent investigations on such optimal phase states are presented. The issue concludes with two papers discussing the significance of phase in light-matter interactions. In concluding we express our gratitude to the authors of the papers in this volume for their efforts in preparing their high quality presentations.

DOI: 10.1088/0031-8949/1993/t48/e01

Related papers

Aspects of quantum phase space

Philip Watson

Mar 1, 20120 citations

Phase noise in quantum physics

Barry C. Sanders

Nov 1, 19870 citations

Phase and Angle Variables in Quantum Mechanics

Peter Carruthers, Michael Martin Nieto

Reviews of Modern PhysicsApr 1, 19681,108 citations

Hermitian Phase Operator of Quantized Light Fields. A Fundamental Problem of Quantum Optics.

Hiroshi Iwasawa

The Review of Laser EngineeringJan 1, 19930 citations

Theoretical Investigations in Nonlinear Quantum Optics, Theory of Measurement, and Pulsations of General Relativistic Models of Neutron Stars

Bonny L. Schumaker

Sep 6, 20170 citations

Realistic measurement of phase

Henryk Paul

Nonlinear OpticsDec 17, 20020 citations

Physica Scripta

Quantum phase and phase dependent measurements

W. P. Schleich, Stephen Mark Barnett

Published Jan 1, 1993• 74 citations

Publisher

Abstract

DOI: 10.1088/0031-8949/1993/t48/e01

Related papers

Aspects of quantum phase space

Philip Watson

This thesis addresses aspects of quantum phase and sets out to draw attention to a collection of new and extend some not so new techniques utilizing Weyl's correspondence rule and its inverse. The phase formulation of quantum mechanics is as old as quantum mechanics itself and evolved over a period of two decades due to the contributions of H. Weyl \cite{Weyl1950}, E. P. Wigner \cite{Wigner1932}, H. Groenewold \cite{Groenewold1946} and J. E. Moyal \cite{Moyal1949}. Over the ensuing years the phase picture has matured into a practical analytical tool, and has generated a multitude of technical papers, reports, reviews, and expositions from many authors and commentators. One reason for its success is that it offers an intuitive picture of quantum mechanics owing to its \it{classical look and feel}, and it has made an impression, in one way or another, in many fields such as mathematical physics, quantum optics, and physical chemistry.The thesis opens with a brief history of classical phase space, tracing the possible origin of the term ``phase space itself, and chronicles the events leading to the conceptualization (and generalization) of quantum phase space. In Chapter 2 the Weyl correspondence is recast in terms of von Neumann's integral kernel transform and a heuristic analysis is given from this perspective. A characteristic of Weyl's correspondence rule and its inverse is that there are two inherent representations of the same operator. These have been referred to as the Weyl representation and Wigner representation and are related by a symplectic Fourier transform. For an arbitrary outer dyadic operator it is shown that the Weyl representation leads to the \it{modified} Gabor transform (known to Signal Processing), while the Wigner representation specializes to the Bargmann transform and a representation in terms of analytic functions. Calculating Weyl-Wigner (WW) transforms of products of $n$ operators, from first principles, has proved to be a technically difficult problem. However, with the machinery developed in Chapter 2 the problem is reduced to a straightforward algebraic exercise. Finally, forming an $s$ -parametrized generalization of Weyl's correspondence rule and focusing on the Weyl representation it is shown to lead to an intimate relationship with the relative state formalism \cite{Ban1998}. Weyl's correspondence rule is only applicable to operators and consequently state vectors $|\psi\rangle$ are not represented in the usual formulation of quantum phase space. This problem is circumvented in Chapter 3 by introducing the notion of a normalized fixed state (or window) vector $|\varphi_0\rangle$ to form an outer dyadic product $\wh{\Psi} = |\psi\rangle\langle\varphi_0|$. The WW transform of this product under the action of the Weyl's rule is a complex valued function of real variables called a phase amplitude and denoted by the symbol $\Psi$ . The phase amplitudes have many (and sometimes surprising) properties. For example they: \begin{itemize} \item form the building blocks of Wigner functions $W$ by admitting a generalized Born rule $W = \Psi \star \bar{\Psi}$ , and as such can be considered to be a more fundamental objects than Wigner functions; \item superpose and interfere like the state vectors they represent; \item specialize to the Bargmann and Gabor transforms when a Gaussian window is chosen; \end{itemize} \ni In Chapter 4 further aspects of phase amplitudes are explored and discussed. For example it is shown that they: \begin{itemize} \item define phase state vectors which form an over complete set and are elements of a reproducing kernel Hilbert space; \item allow unitary ray representations of the group symmetries of translation, rotation and time reversal; \item evolve in phase under the influence of a propagator $\cal{R}$ which is intimately related to the Wigner propagator $P$ . \end{itemize} Chapter 5 considers an extension of phase amplitudes to include systems with finitely many degrees of freedom. These are called spin amplitudes and are obtained by first forming the outer dyadic product of a spin state vector with an arbitrary fixed spin state vector, and then applying a finite-dimensional analogue of the WW transform. The spin amplitude operator is represented as an $n \times n$ matrix, whose elements are products of the spin components of the spin and fixed state vectors. Two kinds of spin amplitudes are considered, arising on the sphere $\cal{S}^2$ or on a $(2j + 1)$ dimensional lattice. In the special case of spin-$\half$ systems it is shown that the spin amplitudes transform as spinors under rotations on both the sphere and lattice. As a physical application the spin amplitudes for a spin-$\half$ magnetic dipole are found for a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) environment. Chapter 6 considers Schwinger's abstract approach to quantum mechanics which takes into account the inability to indefinitely compensate for fluctuations in the measurement process. The resulting measurement algebra provides a symbolic representation of the physical laws as opposed to the mathematical abstraction (of von Neumann and Dirac) that was justified \it{\'a posteriori} by being in agreement with experiment. Despite Schwinger's prolific work on the subject of measurement algebra, its interpretation in quantum phase remained an open issue. It is shown that the key to formulating a quantum phase in terms of the measurement operators and transformation functions is the determination of a suitable set of basis operators for an arbitrary measurement operator. Many new results follow as a consequence of expanding an arbitrary measurement operator in this basis. In Chapter 7 the quantum-classical interface is explored by considering Hamilton's principal function or action $S(q,v,t)$ . Starting from a purely heuristic classical argument, a phase function $U(p,q,t)$ is derived in terms of the classical action and is shown to be proportional to the WW transform of the quantum evolution operator. This association leads to the transform \be U(p,q,t) = A(t) \int e^{ipv/\hbar} e^{iS(q,v,t)/\hbar} \; \rm{d}v, \ee which enables one, in principle, to deduce the Wigner functions of a given system when only the classical action is known. Simple physical systems are used to provide examples illustrating this approach.This thesis addresses aspects of quantum phase and sets out to draw attention to a collection of new and extend some not so new techniques utilizing Weyl's correspondence rule and its inverse. The phase formulation of quantum mechanics is as old as quantum mechanics itself and evolved over a period of two decades due to the contributions of H. Weyl \cite{Weyl1950}, E. P. Wigner \cite{Wigner1932}, H. Groenewold \cite{Groenewold1946} and J. E. Moyal \cite{Moyal1949}. Over the ensuing years the phase picture has matured into a practical analytical tool, and has generated a multitude of technical papers, reports, reviews, and expositions from many authors and commentators. One reason for its success is that it offers an intuitive picture of quantum mechanics owing to its \it{classical look and feel}, and it has made an impression, in one way or another, in many fields such as mathematical physics, quantum optics, and physical chemistry.The thesis opens with a brief history of classical phase space, tracing the possible origin of the term ``phase space itself, and chronicles the events leading to the conceptualization (and generalization) of quantum phase space. In Chapter 2 the Weyl correspondence is recast in terms of von Neumann's integral kernel transform and a heuristic analysis is given from this perspective. A characteristic of Weyl's correspondence rule and its inverse is that there are two inherent representations of the same operator. These have been referred to as the Weyl representation and Wigner representation and are related by a symplectic Fourier transform. For an arbitrary outer dyadic operator it is shown that the Weyl representation leads to the \it{modified} Gabor transform (known to Signal Processing), while the Wigner representation specializes to the Bargmann transform and a representation in terms of analytic functions. Calculating Weyl-Wigner (WW) transforms of products of $n$ operators, from first principles, has proved to be a technically difficult problem. However, with the machinery developed in Chapter 2 the problem is reduced to a straightforward algebraic exercise. Finally, forming an $s$-parametrized generalization of Weyl's correspondence rule and focusing on the Weyl representation it is shown to lead to an intimate relationship with the relative state formalism \cite{Ban1998}. Weyl's correspondence rule is only applicable to operators and consequently state vectors $|\psi\rangle$ are not represented in the usual formulation of quantum phase space. This problem is circumvented in Chapter 3 by introducing the notion of a normalized fixed state (or window) vector $|\varphi_0\rangle$ to form an outer dyadic product $\wh{\Psi} = |\psi\rangle\langle\varphi_0|$. The WW transform of this product under the action of the Weyl's rule is a complex valued function of real variables called a phase amplitude and denoted by the symbol $\Psi$. The phase amplitudes have many (and sometimes surprising) properties. For example they: \begin{itemize} \item form the building blocks of Wigner functions $W$ by admitting a generalized Born rule $W = \Psi \star \bar{\Psi}$, and as such can be considered to be a more fundamental objects than Wigner functions; \item superpose and interfere like the state vectors they represent; \item specialize to the Bargmann and Gabor transforms when a Gaussian window is chosen; \end{itemize} \ni In Chapter 4 further aspects of phase amplitudes are explored and discussed. For example it is shown that they: \begin{itemize} \item define phase state vectors which form an over complete set and are elements of a reproducing kernel Hilbert space; \item allow unitary ray representations of the group symmetries of translation, rotation and time reversal; \item evolve in phase under the influence of a propagator $\cal{R}$ which is intimately related to the Wigner propagator $P$. \end{itemize} Chapter 5 considers an extension of phase amplitudes to include systems with finitely many degrees of freedom. These are called spin amplitudes and are obtained by first forming the outer dyadic product of a spin state vector with an arbitrary fixed spin state vector, and then applying a finite-dimensional analogue of the WW transform. The spin amplitude operator is represented as an $n \times n$ matrix, whose elements are products of the spin components of the spin and fixed state vectors. Two kinds of spin amplitudes are considered, arising on the sphere $\cal{S}^2$ or on a $(2j + 1)$ dimensional lattice. In the special case of spin-$\half$ systems it is shown that the spin amplitudes transform as spinors under rotations on both the sphere and lattice. As a physical application the spin amplitudes for a spin-$\half$ magnetic dipole are found for a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) environment. Chapter 6 considers Schwinger's abstract approach to quantum mechanics which takes into account the inability to indefinitely compensate for fluctuations in the measurement process. The resulting measurement algebra provides a symbolic representation of the physical laws as opposed to the mathematical abstraction (of von Neumann and Dirac) that was justified \it{\'a posteriori} by being in agreement with experiment. Despite Schwinger's prolific work on the subject of measurement algebra, its interpretation in quantum phase remained an open issue. It is shown that the key to formulating a quantum phase in terms of the measurement operators and transformation functions is the determination of a suitable set of basis operators for an arbitrary measurement operator. Many new results follow as a consequence of expanding an arbitrary measurement operator in this basis. In Chapter 7 the quantum-classical interface is explored by considering Hamilton's principal function or action $S(q,v,t)$. Starting from a purely heuristic classical argument, a phase function $U(p,q,t)$ is derived in terms of the classical action and is shown to be proportional to the WW transform of the quantum evolution operator. This association leads to the transform \be U(p,q,t) = A(t) \int e^{ipv/\hbar} e^{iS(q,v,t)/\hbar} \; \rm{d}v, \ee which enables one, in principle, to deduce the Wigner functions of a given system when only the classical action is known. Simple physical systems are used to provide examples illustrating this approach.

Mar 1, 20120 citations

Phase noise in quantum physics

Barry C. Sanders

The nature of phase noise in quantum optics is analyzed. In an experiment involving the measurement of the electromagnetic field the two quantities of interest are the energy and phase of the field. However, measurements of the quantities produce quantum fluctuations. The quantum fluctuations are regarded as noise in the treatment presented here. The quantum system is represented by a probability distribution, the Wigner function, and the quantum fluctuations are treated as stochastic noise associated with the quantity being measured. The difficulties of associating a quantum operator with the phase of the system are reviewed and the related energy-phase uncertainty relation is discussed. The alternate interpretation of the phase noise of a quantum system as being the classical phase noise of the Wigner function is presented. In particular the energy and phase noise of the vacuum state, the coherent state, the squeezed state and the squeezed vacuum are discussed in this way. The squeezed states of light are minimum uncertainty states with respect to the quadrature operators and exhibit noise of one quadrature below the noise level associated with the vacuum. The reduced noise level in one quadrature of the field underlies the importance of squeezed states in many practical applications where there is a need to reduce the quantum noise of one quadrature of coherent light. The periodic phase operator eliminates the difficulties associated with the multivalued nature of phase. The analysis of the vacuum and intense coherent state of Carruthers and Nieto by employing periodic phase operators is reviewed, particularly with respect to the energy-phase uncertainty relations and we generalize the approach to develop a phase operator analysis of the squeezed state in the intense field and vacuum limits. We demonstrate here for the first time that the phase operator is simply related to the phase of the squeezed state in the intense field limit and that the squeezed state is approximately an energy-phase minimum uncertainty state in the low-squeezing limit. Also we enlarge on previous work to demonstrate that the phase operator corresponds simply and unambiguously to the phase of the squeeze parameter for the strongly squeezed vacuum and the intensely squeezed vacuum is an energy-phase minimum uncertainty state for some values of phase. The occurrence of squeezing for the case of two coupled quantum oscillators is presented. The system consisting of one mode of the electromagnetic field coupled to a spinless nonrelativistic electron subjected to an harmonic potential is represented by two coupled harmonic oscillators. The dynamics are compared for the case that the rotating wave approximation is employed and for the case that the counter-rotating terms are included. These calculations have not been performed before. The parametric amplifier Hamiltonian with a nonresonant coupling is also studied in order to provide insight into the effects of the counter-rotating terms. Squeezing of the field produced by the electron is a consequence of the inclusion of the counter-rotating terms. The case of a spinless nonrelativistic electron subject to an harmonic potential and coupled to a continuum of electromagnetic field modes is also considered. The case of two coupled oscillators discussed above is generalized by replacing the oscillator which represents the single-mode field by a bath of oscillators. The effects of including counter-rotating terms and of ignoring the counter - rotating terms in the Hamiltonian are compared. The interaction is assumed to produce a frequency shift and an exponential damping term for the oscillating electron. The frequency shift is assumed to be small in either case and so the Wigner-Weisskopff approximation is employed to solve the equations of motion. We demonstrate the new results that dissipation-induced phase-dependent noise is a consequence of including the counter-rotating terms and that the noise is phase-independent for the case that the counterrotating terms are excluded. The relation between these results and recent work on quantum tunnelling in superconducting quantum interference devices is discussed. We conclude by suggesting further research related to the work in this thesis.The nature of phase noise in quantum optics is analyzed. In an experiment involving the measurement of the electromagnetic field the two quantities of interest are the energy and phase of the field. However, measurements of the quantities produce quantum fluctuations. The quantum fluctuations are regarded as noise in the treatment presented here. The quantum system is represented by a probability distribution, the Wigner function, and the quantum fluctuations are treated as stochastic noise associated with the quantity being measured. The difficulties of associating a quantum operator with the phase of the system are reviewed and the related energy-phase uncertainty relation is discussed. The alternate interpretation of the phase noise of a quantum system as being the classical phase noise of the Wigner function is presented. In particular the energy and phase noise of the vacuum state, the coherent state, the squeezed state and the squeezed vacuum are discussed in this way. The squeezed states of light are minimum uncertainty states with respect to the quadrature operators and exhibit noise of one quadrature below the noise level associated with the vacuum. The reduced noise level in one quadrature of the field underlies the importance of squeezed states in many practical applications where there is a need to reduce the quantum noise of one quadrature of coherent light. The periodic phase operator eliminates the difficulties associated with the multivalued nature of phase. The analysis of the vacuum and intense coherent state of Carruthers and Nieto by employing periodic phase operators is reviewed, particularly with respect to the energy-phase uncertainty relations and we generalize the approach to develop a phase operator analysis of the squeezed state in the intense field and vacuum limits. We demonstrate here for the first time that the phase operator is simply related to the phase of the squeezed state in the intense field limit and that the squeezed state is approximately an energy-phase minimum uncertainty state in the low-squeezing limit. Also we enlarge on previous work to demonstrate that the phase operator corresponds simply and unambiguously to the phase of the squeeze parameter for the strongly squeezed vacuum and the intensely squeezed vacuum is an energy-phase minimum uncertainty state for some values of phase. The occurrence of squeezing for the case of two coupled quantum oscillators is presented. The system consisting of one mode of the electromagnetic field coupled to a spinless nonrelativistic electron subjected to an harmonic potential is represented by two coupled harmonic oscillators. The dynamics are compared for the case that the rotating wave approximation is employed and for the case that the counter-rotating terms are included. These calculations have not been performed before. The parametric amplifier Hamiltonian with a nonresonant coupling is also studied in order to provide insight into the effects of the counter-rotating terms. Squeezing of the field produced by the electron is a consequence of the inclusion of the counter-rotating terms. The case of a spinless nonrelativistic electron subject to an harmonic potential and coupled to a continuum of electromagnetic field modes is also considered. The case of two coupled oscillators discussed above is generalized by replacing the oscillator which represents the single-mode field by a bath of oscillators. The effects of including counter-rotating terms and of ignoring the counter - rotating terms in the Hamiltonian are compared. The interaction is assumed to produce a frequency shift and an exponential damping term for the oscillating electron. The frequency shift is assumed to be small in either case and so the Wigner-Weisskopff approximation is employed to solve the equations of motion. We demonstrate the new results that dissipation-induced phase-dependent noise is a consequence of including the counter-rotating terms and that the noise is phase-independent for the case that the counterrotating terms are excluded. The relation between these results and recent work on quantum tunnelling in superconducting quantum interference devices is discussed. We conclude by suggesting further research related to the work in this thesis.

Nov 1, 19870 citations

Phase and Angle Variables in Quantum Mechanics

Peter Carruthers, Michael Martin Nieto

The quantum-mechanical description of phase and angle variables is reviewed, with emphasis on the proper mathematical description of these coordinates. The relations among the operators and state vectors under consideration are clarified in the context of the Heisenberg uncertainty relations. The familiar case of the azimuthal angle variable $\ensuremath{\phi}$ and its "conjugate" angular momentum ${L}_{z}$ is discussed. Various pitfalls associated with the periodicity problem are avoided by employing periodic variables ($sin\ensuremath{\phi}$ and $cos\ensuremath{\phi}$ to describe the phase variable. Well-defined uncertainty relations are derived and discussed. A detailed analysis of the three-dimensional harmonic oscillator excited in coherent states is given. A detailed analysis of the simple harmonic oscillator is given. The usual assumption that a (Hermitian) phase operator $\ensuremath{\varphi}$ (conjugate to the number operator $N$ ) exists is shown to be erroneous. However, cosine and sine operators $C$ and $S$ exist and are the appr\'opriate phase variables. A Poisson bracket argument using action-angle (rather $J$ , $cos\ensuremath{\varphi}$, $sin\ensuremath{\varphi}$) variables is used to deduce $C$ and $S$ . The spectra and eigenfunctions of these operators are investigated, along with the important "phase-difference" periodic variables. The properties of the oscillator variables in the various types of states are analyzed with special attention to the uncertainty relations and the transition to the classical limit. The utility of coherent states as a basis for the description of the evolution of the density matrix is emphasized. In this basis it is easy to identify the classical Liouville equation in action-angle variables along with quantum-mechanical "corrections." Mention is made of possible physical applications to superfluid systems.The quantum-mechanical description of phase and angle variables is reviewed, with emphasis on the proper mathematical description of these coordinates. The relations among the operators and state vectors under consideration are clarified in the context of the Heisenberg uncertainty relations. The familiar case of the azimuthal angle variable $\ensuremath{\phi}$ and its "conjugate" angular momentum ${L}_{z}$ is discussed. Various pitfalls associated with the periodicity problem are avoided by employing periodic variables ($sin\ensuremath{\phi}$ and $cos\ensuremath{\phi}$ to describe the phase variable. Well-defined uncertainty relations are derived and discussed. A detailed analysis of the three-dimensional harmonic oscillator excited in coherent states is given. A detailed analysis of the simple harmonic oscillator is given. The usual assumption that a (Hermitian) phase operator $\ensuremath{\varphi}$ (conjugate to the number operator $N$) exists is shown to be erroneous. However, cosine and sine operators $C$ and $S$ exist and are the appr\'opriate phase variables. A Poisson bracket argument using action-angle (rather $J$, $cos\ensuremath{\varphi}$, $sin\ensuremath{\varphi}$) variables is used to deduce $C$ and $S$. The spectra and eigenfunctions of these operators are investigated, along with the important "phase-difference" periodic variables. The properties of the oscillator variables in the various types of states are analyzed with special attention to the uncertainty relations and the transition to the classical limit. The utility of coherent states as a basis for the description of the evolution of the density matrix is emphasized. In this basis it is easy to identify the classical Liouville equation in action-angle variables along with quantum-mechanical "corrections." Mention is made of possible physical applications to superfluid systems.

Reviews of Modern PhysicsApr 1, 19681,108 citations

Hermitian Phase Operator of Quantized Light Fields. A Fundamental Problem of Quantum Optics.

Hiroshi Iwasawa

For a long time, about 60 years, the phase as an observable of the quantized light fields has r emained a fundamental problem with considerable difficulties on quantum mechanics and also q uantum optics.Recently, however, the hermitian phase operator and its eigenstates in a finite H ilbert space are found by Pegg and Barnett.In this paper, we provide a historical review and t he background of the problem on the phase operator, explore the Pegg-Barnett formalism, and s how the recent developements of this fields and its application to various light fields.Further problems on this formalism and other approaches are also discussed.For a long time, about 60 years, the phase as an observable of the quantized light fields has r emained a fundamental problem with considerable difficulties on quantum mechanics and also q uantum optics.Recently, however, the hermitian phase operator and its eigenstates in a finite H ilbert space are found by Pegg and Barnett.In this paper, we provide a historical review and t he background of the problem on the phase operator, explore the Pegg-Barnett formalism, and s how the recent developements of this fields and its application to various light fields.Further problems on this formalism and other approaches are also discussed.

The Review of Laser EngineeringJan 1, 19930 citations

Theoretical Investigations in Nonlinear Quantum Optics, Theory of Measurement, and Pulsations of General Relativistic Models of Neutron Stars

Bonny L. Schumaker

This thesis is a collection of six papers. The first four constitute the heart of the thesis; they are concerned with quantum mechanical properties of certain harmonic-oscillator states. The first paper is a discourse on single-mode and two-mode Gaussian pure states (GPS), states produced when harmonic oscillators in their ground states are exposed to potentials that are linear or quadratic in oscillator position and moment um variables (creation and annihilation operators). The second and third papers develop a formalism for analyzing two-photon devices (e.g., parametric amplifiers and phase-conjugate mirrors), in which photons in the ouput modes arise from two-photon transitions, i.e., are created or destroyed two at a time. The states produced by such devices are single-mode and two-mode "squeezed states", special kinds of GPS whose low-noise properties make them attractive for applications in such fields as optical communications and gravitational wave detection. The fourth paper is an analysis of the noise in homodyne detection, a phase-sensitive detection scheme in which the special properties of (single-mode) squeezed states are revealed as an improved signal-to-noise ratio relative to that obtained with coherent states (the states produced, e.g., by a laser). The fifth and sixth papers deal with problems of a different nature from that of the previous papers. The fifth paper considers the validity of the "standard quantum limit" (SQL) for measurements which monitor the position of a free mass. It shows specifically that when the pre-measurement wave functions of the free mass and the measuring apparatus(es) are Gaussian (in the general sense, which includes so-called "contractive states"), measurements described by linear couplings to the position or to both the position and momentum are limited by the SQL. The sixth paper develops the mathematical theory of torsional (toroidal) oscillations in fully general relativistic, nonrotating, spherical stellar models, and of the gravitational waves they emit.This thesis is a collection of six papers. The first four constitute the heart of the thesis; they are concerned with quantum mechanical properties of certain harmonic-oscillator states. The first paper is a discourse on single-mode and two-mode Gaussian pure states (GPS), states produced when harmonic oscillators in their ground states are exposed to potentials that are linear or quadratic in oscillator position and moment um variables (creation and annihilation operators). The second and third papers develop a formalism for analyzing two-photon devices (e.g., parametric amplifiers and phase-conjugate mirrors), in which photons in the ouput modes arise from two-photon transitions, i.e., are created or destroyed two at a time. The states produced by such devices are single-mode and two-mode "squeezed states", special kinds of GPS whose low-noise properties make them attractive for applications in such fields as optical communications and gravitational wave detection. The fourth paper is an analysis of the noise in homodyne detection, a phase-sensitive detection scheme in which the special properties of (single-mode) squeezed states are revealed as an improved signal-to-noise ratio relative to that obtained with coherent states (the states produced, e.g., by a laser). The fifth and sixth papers deal with problems of a different nature from that of the previous papers. The fifth paper considers the validity of the "standard quantum limit" (SQL) for measurements which monitor the position of a free mass. It shows specifically that when the pre-measurement wave functions of the free mass and the measuring apparatus(es) are Gaussian (in the general sense, which includes so-called "contractive states"), measurements described by linear couplings to the position or to both the position and momentum are limited by the SQL. The sixth paper develops the mathematical theory of torsional (toroidal) oscillations in fully general relativistic, nonrotating, spherical stellar models, and of the gravitational waves they emit.

Sep 6, 20170 citations

Realistic measurement of phase

Henryk Paul

One of the most delicate problems in quantum optics is the proper description of the phase of a single-mode radiation field. One has first to devise an experimental scheme for phase measurement, thus giving an operational definition of phase, and afterwards search for the proper quantum-mechanical description of the experimental procedure. Several such schemes which differ distinctly in their experimental setup have already been proposed and even partly realized. In this paper, I will describe them in some detail and present the outlines of their theoretical analysis.>One of the most delicate problems in quantum optics is the proper description of the phase of a single-mode radiation field. One has first to devise an experimental scheme for phase measurement, thus giving an operational definition of phase, and afterwards search for the proper quantum-mechanical description of the experimental procedure. Several such schemes which differ distinctly in their experimental setup have already been proposed and even partly realized. In this paper, I will describe them in some detail and present the outlines of their theoretical analysis.>

Nonlinear OpticsDec 17, 20020 citations

n

operators, from first principles, has proved to be a technically difficult problem. However, with the machinery developed in Chapter 2 the problem is reduced to a straightforward algebraic exercise. Finally, forming an

s

-parametrized generalization of Weyl's correspondence rule and focusing on the Weyl representation it is shown to lead to an intimate relationship with the relative state formalism \cite{Ban1998}. Weyl's correspondence rule is only applicable to operators and consequently state vectors

|\psi\rangle

are not represented in the usual formulation of quantum phase space. This problem is circumvented in Chapter 3 by introducing the notion of a normalized fixed state (or window) vector

|\varphi_0\rangle

to form an outer dyadic product $\wh{\Psi} = |\psi\rangle\langle\varphi_0|$. The WW transform of this product under the action of the Weyl's rule is a complex valued function of real variables called a phase amplitude and denoted by the symbol

\Psi

. The phase amplitudes have many (and sometimes surprising) properties. For example they: \begin{itemize} \item form the building blocks of Wigner functions

W

by admitting a generalized Born rule

W = \Psi \star \bar{\Psi}

, and as such can be considered to be a more fundamental objects than Wigner functions; \item superpose and interfere like the state vectors they represent; \item specialize to the Bargmann and Gabor transforms when a Gaussian window is chosen; \end{itemize} \ni In Chapter 4 further aspects of phase amplitudes are explored and discussed. For example it is shown that they: \begin{itemize} \item define phase state vectors which form an over complete set and are elements of a reproducing kernel Hilbert space; \item allow unitary ray representations of the group symmetries of translation, rotation and time reversal; \item evolve in phase under the influence of a propagator

\cal{R}

which is intimately related to the Wigner propagator

P

. \end{itemize} Chapter 5 considers an extension of phase amplitudes to include systems with finitely many degrees of freedom. These are called spin amplitudes and are obtained by first forming the outer dyadic product of a spin state vector with an arbitrary fixed spin state vector, and then applying a finite-dimensional analogue of the WW transform. The spin amplitude operator is represented as an

n \times n

matrix, whose elements are products of the spin components of the spin and fixed state vectors. Two kinds of spin amplitudes are considered, arising on the sphere

\cal{S}^2

or on a

(2j + 1)

dimensional lattice. In the special case of spin-$\half$ systems it is shown that the spin amplitudes transform as spinors under rotations on both the sphere and lattice. As a physical application the spin amplitudes for a spin-$\half$ magnetic dipole are found for a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) environment. Chapter 6 considers Schwinger's abstract approach to quantum mechanics which takes into account the inability to indefinitely compensate for fluctuations in the measurement process. The resulting measurement algebra provides a symbolic representation of the physical laws as opposed to the mathematical abstraction (of von Neumann and Dirac) that was justified \it{\'a posteriori} by being in agreement with experiment. Despite Schwinger's prolific work on the subject of measurement algebra, its interpretation in quantum phase remained an open issue. It is shown that the key to formulating a quantum phase in terms of the measurement operators and transformation functions is the determination of a suitable set of basis operators for an arbitrary measurement operator. Many new results follow as a consequence of expanding an arbitrary measurement operator in this basis. In Chapter 7 the quantum-classical interface is explored by considering Hamilton's principal function or action

S(q,v,t)

. Starting from a purely heuristic classical argument, a phase function

U(p,q,t)

is derived in terms of the classical action and is shown to be proportional to the WW transform of the quantum evolution operator. This association leads to the transform \be U(p,q,t) = A(t) \int e^{ipv/\hbar} e^{iS(q,v,t)/\hbar} \; \rm{d}v, \ee which enables one, in principle, to deduce the Wigner functions of a given system when only the classical action is known. Simple physical systems are used to provide examples illustrating this approach.

{L}_{z}

is discussed. Various pitfalls associated with the periodicity problem are avoided by employing periodic variables ($sin\ensuremath{\phi}$ and $cos\ensuremath{\phi}$ to describe the phase variable. Well-defined uncertainty relations are derived and discussed. A detailed analysis of the three-dimensional harmonic oscillator excited in coherent states is given. A detailed analysis of the simple harmonic oscillator is given. The usual assumption that a (Hermitian) phase operator $\ensuremath{\varphi}$ (conjugate to the number operator

N

) exists is shown to be erroneous. However, cosine and sine operators

C

and

S

exist and are the appr\'opriate phase variables. A Poisson bracket argument using action-angle (rather

J

, $cos\ensuremath{\varphi}$, $sin\ensuremath{\varphi}$) variables is used to deduce

C

and

S

. The spectra and eigenfunctions of these operators are investigated, along with the important "phase-difference" periodic variables. The properties of the oscillator variables in the various types of states are analyzed with special attention to the uncertainty relations and the transition to the classical limit. The utility of coherent states as a basis for the description of the evolution of the density matrix is emphasized. In this basis it is easy to identify the classical Liouville equation in action-angle variables along with quantum-mechanical "corrections." Mention is made of possible physical applications to superfluid systems.