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

Journal of the Optical Society of America B

Numerical studies of multimodal phase-sensitive parametric amplification

Igor Jovanovic, D. French, Joshua C. Walter, Richard P. Ratowsky

Published May 5, 2009• 11 citations
Publisher

Abstract

In the presence of a nonzero idler beam or, equivalently, in the collinear degenerate configuration, optical parametric amplification (OPA) can be phase sensitive. When the photon deamplification mode is selected in the OPA process, amplification of the optical phase occurs instead of the usual amplification of photon number. We demonstrate for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, that the operation of a spatially multimodal optical parametric amplifier in the phase-sensitive mode can result in a significant redistribution of spatial frequencies and near-ideal beam angle amplification. A numerical model is presented for phase-sensitive parametric amplification via three-wave mixing. The model is applied to monochromatic beams and finite beam apertures. The sensitivity of gain to the incident phase, noncollinear angle, and aperture size is studied in particular. Simple conditions are derived for the operation of the optical parametric amplifier in the phase-sensitive mode. Potential applications of the concept are discussed.

DOI
10.1364/josab.26.001169

Related papers

Continuous-wave phase-sensitive parametric image amplification

Sylvain Gigan, L. Lopez, V. Delaubert +3 more

We study experimentally parametric amplification in the continuous regime using a transverse-degenerate type-II Optical Parametric Oscillator operated below threshold. We demonstrate that this device is able to amplify either in the phase insensitive or phase sensitive way first a single mode beam, then a multimode image. Furthermore the total intensities of the amplified image projected on the signal and idler polarizations are shown to be correlated at the quantum level.

arXiv:quant-ph/0502116•Journal of Modern Optics•Feb 21, 2006•19 citations

MODE STRUCTURE OF A NOISELESS PHASE-SENSITIVE IMAGE AMPLIFIER

Muthiah Annamalai

Optical parametric amplifiers (OPAs) configured as phase-sensitive amplifiers (PSAs) can be used for noiseless optical image amplification, generation of non-classical states of light, and, in particular, for multimode squeezed light generation. For all these applications and for effective use of the quantum properties of the multimode PSA, we need to know its independently squeezed (or amplified) eigenmodes. First we present the quantum theory of a spatially multimode traveling-wave PSA pumped by a high-power pump beam with arbitrary spatial profile. To quantitatively identify the Green's function of the PSA, we have developed a semi-analytical coupled-mode-theory of the PSA using 2D Hermite-Gaussian mode expansions of the signal- and pump-beam spatial distributions. By using Green's functions of the classical OPA, we calculate the normallyordered quadrature correlators at its output, which provide complete quantum description of the phase-sensitive OPA and enable determination of its independently squeezed eigenmodes. We find the number of the supported eigenmodes and their shapes for a spatially broadband frequency-degenerate optical parametric amplifier with elliptical Gaussian pump. We conclude by discussing our recent extensions of the coupled-mode-theory to study higher-order pump modes, compact representation of the PSA eigenmodes (especially convenient for experiments), and effect of non-zero phase mismatch on the PSA eigenmodes. We expect that the results from our model can be used for optimum mode matching in phase-sensitive image amplification and multimode squeezing generation.

•Apr 11, 2012•0 citations

Fiber-based phase-sensitive optical amplifiers and their applications

Peter A. Andrekson, Magnus Karlsson

Optical parametric amplifiers rely on second-order susceptibility (three-wave mixing) or third-order susceptibility (four-wave mixing) in a nonlinear process where the energy of incoming photons is not changed (elastic scattering). In the latter case, two pump photons are converted to a signal and to an idler photon. Under certain conditions, related to the phase evolution of the waves involved, this conversion can be very efficient, resulting in large amplification of an input signal. As the nonlinear process can be very fast, all-optical applications aside from pure amplification are also possible. If the amplifier is implemented in an optical input-phase-sensitive manner, it is possible to amplify a signal wave without excess noise, i.e., with a noise figure of 0 dB. In this paper, we will provide the fundamental concepts and theory of such amplifiers, with a focus on their implementation in highly nonlinear optical fibers relying on four-wave mixing. We will discuss the distinctions between phase-insensitive and phase-sensitive operation and include several experimental results to illustrate their capability. Different applications of parametric amplifiers are also discussed, including their use in optical communication links.

Advances in Optics and Photonics•Feb 20, 2020•102 citations

Noiseless image amplification by a phase-sensitive parametric amplifier

Sang-Kyung Choi, Michael Vasilyev, Prem Kumar

Summary form only given. Optical imaging is one of the important potential applications for nonclassic states of light. It has been shown that spatially broadband squeezed light can be used to image faint objects with sub-shot-noise sensitivity. Broad spatial bandwidth of an optical parametric amplifier (OPA), determined by phase-matching conditions, makes it a good choice for studying the feasibility of imaging with nonclassic states. Here, we report, to our knowledge, the first observation of noiseless amplification of an image by means of phase-sensitive parametric amplification.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics•Jan 1, 1998•1 citation

Quantum noise of parametric amplification in a phase-sensitive/insensitive intermediate condition

Kyo Inoue

Phase-sensitive amplification (PSA) is a particular type of optical parametric amplification (OPA) that features a low-noise property such that the quantum-limited noise figure is 0 dB. The PSA operation is typically achieved when the signal and idler spectra are degenerate in optical parametric interactions, i.e., the degenerate OPA condition. However, for a spectrally broadened incident light, these two spectra can be partially degenerate. The present work investigates the noise property of OPA in such conditions in terms of quantum mechanics. The results quantitatively indicate the intermediate properties between PSA and phase-insensitive amplification.

Journal of the Optical Society of America B•Jul 23, 2018•5 citations

Mode hitching in traveling-wave optical parametric amplification

Joseph Kelly, Eleanor Fradgley, Lida Zhang +1 more

Optical parametric amplifiers (OPAs) in traveling-wave configuration can generate localized spatial quantum correlations between a signal and an idler beam, a useful resource for quantum imaging. To characterize the spatial correspondence between the optical modes of the signal and those of the idler, we look at the classical transverse dynamics of these beams when they propagate in a generic thick OPA at a nominally small angle. In these conditions, the beams tend to copropagate while maintaining a fixed separation, a phenomenon that we term hitching. We develop a model for hitching, validated by a numerical simulation, and provide an experimental demonstration using four-wave mixing in a hot atomic vapor. They show that the OPA gain is the primary influence on the final hitching distance. These results have implications for the generation of multi-spatial-mode squeezed light for quantum imaging applications, where the exact spatial correlations between the quantum fluctuations of the signal and the idler are of prime importance.

arXiv:2409.09813•Physical Review A•Mar 21, 2025•0 citations
In the presence of a nonzero idler beam or, equivalently, in the collinear degenerate configuration, optical parametric amplification (OPA) can be phase sensitive. When the photon deamplification mode is selected in the OPA process, amplification of the optical phase occurs instead of the usual amplification of photon number. We demonstrate for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, that the operation of a spatially multimodal optical parametric amplifier in the phase-sensitive mode can result in a significant redistribution of spatial frequencies and near-ideal beam angle amplification. A numerical model is presented for phase-sensitive parametric amplification via three-wave mixing. The model is applied to monochromatic beams and finite beam apertures. The sensitivity of gain to the incident phase, noncollinear angle, and aperture size is studied in particular. Simple conditions are derived for the operation of the optical parametric amplifier in the phase-sensitive mode. Potential applications of the concept are discussed.
Optical parametric amplifiers (OPAs) configured as phase-sensitive amplifiers (PSAs) can be used for noiseless optical image amplification, generation of non-classical states of light, and, in particular, for multimode squeezed light generation. For all these applications and for effective use of the quantum properties of the multimode PSA, we need to know its independently squeezed (or amplified) eigenmodes. First we present the quantum theory of a spatially multimode traveling-wave PSA pumped by a high-power pump beam with arbitrary spatial profile. To quantitatively identify the Green's function of the PSA, we have developed a semi-analytical coupled-mode-theory of the PSA using 2D Hermite-Gaussian mode expansions of the signal- and pump-beam spatial distributions. By using Green's functions of the classical OPA, we calculate the normallyordered quadrature correlators at its output, which provide complete quantum description of the phase-sensitive OPA and enable determination of its independently squeezed eigenmodes. We find the number of the supported eigenmodes and their shapes for a spatially broadband frequency-degenerate optical parametric amplifier with elliptical Gaussian pump. We conclude by discussing our recent extensions of the coupled-mode-theory to study higher-order pump modes, compact representation of the PSA eigenmodes (especially convenient for experiments), and effect of non-zero phase mismatch on the PSA eigenmodes. We expect that the results from our model can be used for optimum mode matching in phase-sensitive image amplification and multimode squeezing generation.
Optical parametric amplifiers rely on second-order susceptibility (three-wave mixing) or third-order susceptibility (four-wave mixing) in a nonlinear process where the energy of incoming photons is not changed (elastic scattering). In the latter case, two pump photons are converted to a signal and to an idler photon. Under certain conditions, related to the phase evolution of the waves involved, this conversion can be very efficient, resulting in large amplification of an input signal. As the nonlinear process can be very fast, all-optical applications aside from pure amplification are also possible. If the amplifier is implemented in an optical input-phase-sensitive manner, it is possible to amplify a signal wave without excess noise, i.e., with a noise figure of 0 dB. In this paper, we will provide the fundamental concepts and theory of such amplifiers, with a focus on their implementation in highly nonlinear optical fibers relying on four-wave mixing. We will discuss the distinctions between phase-insensitive and phase-sensitive operation and include several experimental results to illustrate their capability. Different applications of parametric amplifiers are also discussed, including their use in optical communication links.
Summary form only given. Optical imaging is one of the important potential applications for nonclassic states of light. It has been shown that spatially broadband squeezed light can be used to image faint objects with sub-shot-noise sensitivity. Broad spatial bandwidth of an optical parametric amplifier (OPA), determined by phase-matching conditions, makes it a good choice for studying the feasibility of imaging with nonclassic states. Here, we report, to our knowledge, the first observation of noiseless amplification of an image by means of phase-sensitive parametric amplification.
Phase-sensitive amplification (PSA) is a particular type of optical parametric amplification (OPA) that features a low-noise property such that the quantum-limited noise figure is 0 dB. The PSA operation is typically achieved when the signal and idler spectra are degenerate in optical parametric interactions, i.e., the degenerate OPA condition. However, for a spectrally broadened incident light, these two spectra can be partially degenerate. The present work investigates the noise property of OPA in such conditions in terms of quantum mechanics. The results quantitatively indicate the intermediate properties between PSA and phase-insensitive amplification.
Optical parametric amplifiers (OPAs) in traveling-wave configuration can generate localized spatial quantum correlations between a signal and an idler beam, a useful resource for quantum imaging. To characterize the spatial correspondence between the optical modes of the signal and those of the idler, we look at the classical transverse dynamics of these beams when they propagate in a generic thick OPA at a nominally small angle. In these conditions, the beams tend to copropagate while maintaining a fixed separation, a phenomenon that we term hitching. We develop a model for hitching, validated by a numerical simulation, and provide an experimental demonstration using four-wave mixing in a hot atomic vapor. They show that the OPA gain is the primary influence on the final hitching distance. These results have implications for the generation of multi-spatial-mode squeezed light for quantum imaging applications, where the exact spatial correlations between the quantum fluctuations of the signal and the idler are of prime importance.