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

Physical Review A

Coherence versus interferometric resolution

Alfredo Luis

Published Jun 30, 2010• 4 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We examine the relation between second-order coherence and resolution in the interferometric detection of phase shifts. While for classical thermal light resolution and second-order coherence are synonymous, we show that for quantum light beams reaching optimum precision second-order coherence and resolution become antithetical.
DOI
10.1103/physreva.81.065802

Related papers

Ensemble approach to coherence between two scalar harmonic light vibrations and the phase difference

Alfredo Luis

We develop an approach to coherence between two scalar harmonic light vibrations derived from the ensemble interpretation of statistical optics. Coherence is presented as a statistical variable itself that turns out to be the phase difference between the two vibrations. This provides a natural and simple extension of second-order coherence to cover more complicated situations. This includes in a single formalism both classic and quantum light states, allowing the most accurate interferometric measurements, even if they are incoherent according to the standard second-order approach.

Physical Review A•May 28, 2009•5 citations

Fisher information as a generalized measure of coherence in classical and quantum optics

Alfredo Luis

We show that metrological resolution in the detection of small phase shifts provides a suitable generalization of the degrees of coherence and polarization. Resolution is estimated via Fisher information. Besides the standard two-beam Gaussian case, this approach provides also good results for multiple field components and nonGaussian statistics. This works equally well in quantum and classical optics.

Optics Express•Oct 12, 2012•16 citations

The physics of thermal light second-order interference beyond coherence

Vincenzo Tamma

Abstract A novel thermal light interferometer was recently introduced by Tamma and Seiler (2016 New J. Phys. 18 032002). Here, two classically correlated beams, obtained by beam splitting a thermal light beam, propagate through two unbalanced Mach–Zehnder interferometers. Remarkably, second-order interference between the long and the short paths in the two interferometers was predicted independently of how far, in principle, the length difference between the long and short paths is beyond the coherence length of the source. This phenomenon seems to contradict our common understanding of second-order coherence. We provide here a simple description of the physics underlying this effect in terms of two-photon interference.

arXiv:1812.07482•Physica Scripta•Oct 10, 2018•5 citations

Quantum limits for resolution of beam displacements

Stephen Mark Barnett, Claude Fabre, Agnès Maître

Summary form only given. It has long been recognised that the resolution of optical interferometers is determined by the quantum nature of light. Interferometers are sensitive to phase shifts arising from changes in optical path length. In this paper we are concerned with the quantum factors limiting the detection of displacements perpendicular to the direction of beam propagation.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics•Aug 29, 2005•0 citations

Optimum phase-shift estimation and the quantum description of the phase difference

Alfredo Luis, Jan Peřina

The problem of a correct quantum description of the phase difference is examined from the perspective of parameter estimation theory. It is shown that an optimum phase-shift measurement defines a phase difference operator which coincides with other approaches to the same problem. We also study the fundamental limit to the accuracy of a phase difference shift detection. We show that this limit can be reached by a measurement having countable outcomes despite the fact that a phase shift can take any value. We show that this is the case of the phase difference operator defined by an optimum phase-shift measurement. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.

Physical Review A•Nov 1, 1996•124 citations

Measurement of the Second Order Coherence of Pseudo-Thermal Light in the Azimuthal Degree of Freedom

Robert M. Cross, Omar S. Magaña‐Loaiza, Mohammad Mirhosseini +1 more

Using an angular version of the Hanbury Brown Twiss interferometer, we show for the first time second-order interference in the azimuthal degree of freedom, which exhibits higher resolution fringes than if coherent light were used.

Frontiers in Optics•Jan 1, 2014•0 citations
We develop an approach to coherence between two scalar harmonic light vibrations derived from the ensemble interpretation of statistical optics. Coherence is presented as a statistical variable itself that turns out to be the phase difference between the two vibrations. This provides a natural and simple extension of second-order coherence to cover more complicated situations. This includes in a single formalism both classic and quantum light states, allowing the most accurate interferometric measurements, even if they are incoherent according to the standard second-order approach.
Abstract A novel thermal light interferometer was recently introduced by Tamma and Seiler (2016 New J. Phys. 18 032002). Here, two classically correlated beams, obtained by beam splitting a thermal light beam, propagate through two unbalanced Mach–Zehnder interferometers. Remarkably, second-order interference between the long and the short paths in the two interferometers was predicted independently of how far, in principle, the length difference between the long and short paths is beyond the coherence length of the source. This phenomenon seems to contradict our common understanding of second-order coherence. We provide here a simple description of the physics underlying this effect in terms of two-photon interference.
The problem of a correct quantum description of the phase difference is examined from the perspective of parameter estimation theory. It is shown that an optimum phase-shift measurement defines a phase difference operator which coincides with other approaches to the same problem. We also study the fundamental limit to the accuracy of a phase difference shift detection. We show that this limit can be reached by a measurement having countable outcomes despite the fact that a phase shift can take any value. We show that this is the case of the phase difference operator defined by an optimum phase-shift measurement. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.