Elements of Optical Coherence Theory

Yuri G. Rubo, Fabrice P. Laussy, G. Malpuech +2 more

We present the theory of the dynamics of the polariton amplifier in the region of small polariton densities. We give an analytical solution for the polariton condensate density matrix and show that the formation of a coherent quantum state is possible. Once the condensate is formed, the coherence becomes macroscopically long living. Polariton amplifier represents, therefore, an optical memory element, where the input weak coherent signal can be amplified and kept.

Olga Korotkova, Greg Gbur

Roy J. Glauber

Kai-Hong Luo, Matteo Santandrea, Michael Stefszky +6 more

Interferometers provide a highly sensitive means to investigate and exploit the coherence properties of light in metrology applications. However, interferometers come in various forms and exploit different properties of the optical states within. In this paper, we introduce a classification scheme that characterizes any interferometer based on the number of involved nonlinear elements by studying their influence on single-photon and photon-pair states. Several examples of specific interferometers from these more general classes are discussed, and the theory describing the expected first-order and second-order coherence measurements for single-photon and single-photon-pair input states is summarized and compared. These theoretical predictions are then tested in an innovative experimental setup that is easily able to switch between implementing an interferometer consisting of only one or two nonlinear elements. The resulting singles and coincidence rates are measured in both configurations and the results are seen to fit well with the presented theory. The measured results of coherence are tied back to the presented classification scheme, revealing that our experimental design can be useful in gaining insight into the properties of the various interferometeric setups containing different degrees of nonlinearity.

Alexey Vitalievich Kavokin, Jeremy J. Baumberg

This chapter presents the basic principles of quantum optics. It starts from recalling the main elements of quantum mechanics in Heisenberg and Schroedinger interpretations, then the creation and annihilation operators are introduced, and bosonic and fermionic commutation rules are discussed. The secondary quantization theory is used to show differences between coherent, thermal, and Fock states of light; introduce squeezing and antisqueezing; and discuss the statistics of photons. Finally, the polarization and second-order coherence of light are discussed from the point of view of the quantum optics.

Terry van Dijk