Single Photon Position and Momentum Uncertainty Relations

We propose a procedure for defining all single-photon observables in terms of Positive-Operator Valued Measures (POVMs), in particular spin and position. We identify the suppression of $0$ -helicity photon states as a projection from an extended Hilbert space onto the photon Hilbert space. We show that all single-photon observables are in general described by POVMs, obtained by applying this projection to opportune Projection-Valued Measures (PVMs), defined on the extended Hilbert space. The POVMs associated to momentum and helicity reduce to PVMs, unlike those associated to position and spin, this fact reflecting the intrinsic unsharpness of these observables. We finally extensively study the preparation uncertainty relations for position and momentum and the probability distribution of spin, exploring single photon Gaussian states for several choices of spin and polarization.We propose a procedure for defining all single-photon observables in terms of Positive-Operator Valued Measures (POVMs), in particular spin and position. We identify the suppression of $0$-helicity photon states as a projection from an extended Hilbert space onto the photon Hilbert space. We show that all single-photon observables are in general described by POVMs, obtained by applying this projection to opportune Projection-Valued Measures (PVMs), defined on the extended Hilbert space. The POVMs associated to momentum and helicity reduce to PVMs, unlike those associated to position and spin, this fact reflecting the intrinsic unsharpness of these observables. We finally extensively study the preparation uncertainty relations for position and momentum and the probability distribution of spin, exploring single photon Gaussian states for several choices of spin and polarization.

arXiv:1403.6405Journal of Physics A Mathematical and TheoreticalJun 12, 20156 citations

Measurements with Position-Momentum Entangled Photons

Zeenat Baig, Zoya Shafique, Sean J. Bentley

Bulletin of the American Physical SocietyMar 5, 20190 citations

A simple experimental checking of Heisenberg's uncertainty relations

Selim Pašić, Ozren Gamulin, Zoran Tocilj

We show that the quantum mechanical interpretation of the diffraction of light on a slit, when a wave function is assigned to a photon, can be used for a direct experimental study of Heisenberg’s position-momentum and equivalent positionwave vector uncertainty relation for the photon. Results of an experimental test of the position-wave vector uncertainty relation, where the wavelength is used as the input parameter, are given and they very well confirm our approach. The same experimental results can also be used for a test of the position-momentum uncertainty relation when the momentum p0 of a photon is known as the input parameter. We show that a measurement of p0, independent of the knowledge of the value of the Planck’s constant, is possible. Using that value of p0, a test of the position-momentum uncertainty relation could be regarded as a method for a direct measurement of the Planck’s constant. This is discussed, since the diffraction pattern is also well described by classical electrodynamics in the considered experimental conditions. This approach for testing the Heisenberg’s uncertainty relations is very simple and consequently suitable as a quantitative exercise in undergraduate experimental courses, as well as a visual and attractive demonstration of the Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle in courses of quantum mechanics.We show that the quantum mechanical interpretation of the diffraction of light on a slit, when a wave function is assigned to a photon, can be used for a direct experimental study of Heisenberg’s position-momentum and equivalent positionwave vector uncertainty relation for the photon. Results of an experimental test of the position-wave vector uncertainty relation, where the wavelength is used as the input parameter, are given and they very well confirm our approach. The same experimental results can also be used for a test of the position-momentum uncertainty relation when the momentum p0 of a photon is known as the input parameter. We show that a measurement of p0, independent of the knowledge of the value of the Planck’s constant, is possible. Using that value of p0, a test of the position-momentum uncertainty relation could be regarded as a method for a direct measurement of the Planck’s constant. This is discussed, since the diffraction pattern is also well described by classical electrodynamics in the considered experimental conditions. This approach for testing the Heisenberg’s uncertainty relations is very simple and consequently suitable as a quantitative exercise in undergraduate experimental courses, as well as a visual and attractive demonstration of the Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle in courses of quantum mechanics.

Fizika ANov 10, 20062 citations

Information-based uncertainty for a photon

B. Roy Frieden

Optics CommunicationsNov 17, 20061 citation

Demonstration of the angular uncertainty principle for single photons

Barry Jack, Peder Aursand, Sonja Franke‐Arnold +4 more

We present an experimental demonstration of a form of the angular uncertainty principle for single photons. Producing light from type I down-conversion, we use spatial light modulators to perform measurements on signal and idler photons. By measuring states in the angle and orbital angular momentum basis, we demonstrate the uncertainty relation of Franke-Arnold et al (2004 New J. Phys. 6 103). We consider two manifestations of the uncertainty relation. In the first we herald the presence of a photon by detection of its paired partner and demonstrate the uncertainty relation on this single photon. In the second, we perform orbital angular momentum measurements on one photon and angular measurements on its correlated partner exploring, in this way, the uncertainty relation through non-local measurements.We present an experimental demonstration of a form of the angular uncertainty principle for single photons. Producing light from type I down-conversion, we use spatial light modulators to perform measurements on signal and idler photons. By measuring states in the angle and orbital angular momentum basis, we demonstrate the uncertainty relation of Franke-Arnold et al (2004 New J. Phys. 6 103). We consider two manifestations of the uncertainty relation. In the first we herald the presence of a photon by detection of its paired partner and demonstrate the uncertainty relation on this single photon. In the second, we perform orbital angular momentum measurements on one photon and angular measurements on its correlated partner exploring, in this way, the uncertainty relation through non-local measurements.

Journal of OpticsApr 28, 201119 citations

Position–Momentum Uncertainty Relation for an Open Macroscopic Quantum System

Hamid Reza Naeij, Afshin Shafiee

arXiv:1603.01830Journal of Statistical PhysicsNov 17, 20163 citations

We propose a procedure for defining all single-photon observables in terms of Positive-Operator Valued Measures (POVMs), in particular spin and position. We identify the suppression of

0

-helicity photon states as a projection from an extended Hilbert space onto the photon Hilbert space. We show that all single-photon observables are in general described by POVMs, obtained by applying this projection to opportune Projection-Valued Measures (PVMs), defined on the extended Hilbert space. The POVMs associated to momentum and helicity reduce to PVMs, unlike those associated to position and spin, this fact reflecting the intrinsic unsharpness of these observables. We finally extensively study the preparation uncertainty relations for position and momentum and the probability distribution of spin, exploring single photon Gaussian states for several choices of spin and polarization.