We consider the probability ${P}^{(n)}({t}_{0}, t)$ of counting $n$ photoelectrons during any time interval [ ${t}_{0}, t$ ] in a photodetection model built in the general framework of quantum field theory. Owing to an equilibrium assumption on the detector state, ${P}^{(n)}({t}_{0}, t)$ is evaluated from the incident field and some electron-correlation functions. The conditions for ${P}^{(n)}({t}_{0}, t)$ to be a compound Poisson distribution as expected are discussed. This leads to the definition of coherence properties for the electrons of the detector in connection with the reliability of the detection operation in counting experiments.We consider the probability ${P}^{(n)}({t}_{0}, t)$ of counting $n$ photoelectrons during any time interval [${t}_{0}, t$] in a photodetection model built in the general framework of quantum field theory. Owing to an equilibrium assumption on the detector state, ${P}^{(n)}({t}_{0}, t)$ is evaluated from the incident field and some electron-correlation functions. The conditions for ${P}^{(n)}({t}_{0}, t)$ to be a compound Poisson distribution as expected are discussed. This leads to the definition of coherence properties for the electrons of the detector in connection with the reliability of the detection operation in counting experiments.

Physical review. D. Particles, fields, gravitation, and cosmology/Physical review. D. Particles and fieldsDec 15, 19737 citations

A quantum theory of photodetector correlations

T. L. Paoli

Jan 1, 19670 citations

Quantum Gaussian noise

Jeffrey H. Shapiro

In semiclassical theory, light is a classical electromagnetic wave and the fundamental source of photodetection noise is the shot effect arising from the discreteness of the electron charge. In quantum theory, light is a quantum-mechanical entity and the fundamental source of photodetection noise comes from measuring the photon-flux operator. The Glauber coherent states are Gaussian quantum states which represent classical electromagnetic radiation. Quantum photodetection of these states yields statistics that are indistinguishable from the corresponding Poisson point-process results of semiclassical photodetection. Optical parametric interactions, however, can be used to produce other Gaussian quantum states, states whose photodetection behavior cannot be characterized semiclassically. A unified analytical framework is presented for Gaussian-state photodetection that includes the full panoply of nonclassical effects that have been produced via parametric interactions.In semiclassical theory, light is a classical electromagnetic wave and the fundamental source of photodetection noise is the shot effect arising from the discreteness of the electron charge. In quantum theory, light is a quantum-mechanical entity and the fundamental source of photodetection noise comes from measuring the photon-flux operator. The Glauber coherent states are Gaussian quantum states which represent classical electromagnetic radiation. Quantum photodetection of these states yields statistics that are indistinguishable from the corresponding Poisson point-process results of semiclassical photodetection. Optical parametric interactions, however, can be used to produce other Gaussian quantum states, states whose photodetection behavior cannot be characterized semiclassically. A unified analytical framework is presented for Gaussian-state photodetection that includes the full panoply of nonclassical effects that have been produced via parametric interactions.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIEMay 16, 200317 citations

Theory of Photo-detection and Quantum Theory of Coherence

WORLD SCIENTIFIC eBooksJul 4, 20170 citations

We consider the probability

{P}^{(n)}({t}_{0}, t)

of counting

n

photoelectrons during any time interval [

{t}_{0}, t

] in a photodetection model built in the general framework of quantum field theory. Owing to an equilibrium assumption on the detector state,

{P}^{(n)}({t}_{0}, t)

is evaluated from the incident field and some electron-correlation functions. The conditions for

{P}^{(n)}({t}_{0}, t)

to be a compound Poisson distribution as expected are discussed. This leads to the definition of coherence properties for the electrons of the detector in connection with the reliability of the detection operation in counting experiments.