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

Stochastic interferometer

F. De Martini, L. De Dominicis, V. Cioccolanti, Giorgio Milani

Published Apr 1, 1992• 7 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The realization of the optical stochastic (or nonstationary) field interferometer (Sto-IF) is reported. By this device, whose properties are determined by those of the stochastic beam splitter (Sto-BS), relevant Bose-Einstein correlations are generated within the investigated particle field. A very general quantum theory of Sto-BS and Sto-IF is reported. Because it accounts for any distribution function of the Sto-BS driving field, this theory embodies the formal content and the results of previous interferometry theories. All theoretical results are substantiated by an experiment carried out with a Mach-Zehnder Sto-IF. Basic considerations on Bohr's complementarity in stochastic interferometry are expressed on the basis of Shannon's information theory applied to the particle welcher weg problem.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.45.5144

Related papers

Stochastic quantum interferometry with Fock states

F. De Martini, Paolo Mataloni, Giovanni Di Giuseppe +1 more

We report the experimental realization of first- and second-order optical stochastic interferometry with single-photon Fock states and with a couple of photons generated by spontaneous parametric downconversion. The behavior of the constitutive element of the stochastic interferometer, the stochastic beam splitter, is theoretically described, both for first- and second-order interferometry. The theory predicts a reduction of the visibility from 1 to π/4 and to 1/2, respectively, for the two cases. These results are a direct consequence of the presence of Bose–Einstein correlations within the electromagnetic field. The visibility reduction obtained in the two experiments and their comparison with theoretical predictions are discussed in detail.

Journal of the Optical Society of America B•May 1, 2002•2 citations

Bose–Einstein photon correlations in the stochastic interferometer

F. De Martini, L. De Dominicis

We describe a nonstationary field interferometer, a device for measuring interference among particle Feynman paths that arise from an externally driven stochastic scattering process. Bose-Einstein photon correlations are found to arise from a uniform distribution of the driving noise. A quantum visibility theory valid for any excitation noise distribution is given. The results are considered from the perspective of the probability theory and of statistical mechanics.

Optics Letters•Mar 15, 1992•2 citations

A quantum mechanical description of electromagnetic and atom Mach-Zehnder interferometers

Y. Ben-Aryeh, Doron ludwin, A. Mann

A quantum mechanical description of a non-absorbing electromagnetic (em) beam splitter (BS) transformation is given by the use of momentum creation operators, which also include momentum shift operators operating on the BS. This BS transformation is used for analysing photon-statistics effects in the em Mach-Zehnder interferometer. Also the relation between this BS transformation and Welcher-Weg measurements is discussed. The analogy between em and atom interferometers is described with an emphasis on the use of high-order correlation functions. The entanglement between the interfering beams in these interferometers and the BS is taken into account in our analysis for treating special effects.

Journal of Optics B Quantum and Semiclassical Optics•Apr 27, 2001•7 citations

Entangled Non-Local Quantum Interferometry

Giovanni Di Giuseppe, F. De Martini, D. Boschi +1 more

A novel quantum optical interference experiment based on a delayed correlation technique and involving photons prepared in a polarization-entangled state is presented. The resulting phenomenology is found to be determined by the simultaneous realization of several non-classical interference processes of distinct nature albeit strictly interrelated. A formal interpretation of the results is attempted by a standard quantum analysis and by the adoption of a set of interfering Feynman diagrams. In addition, a physical interpre-tation at a deeper level is undertaken by introducing for the system the basic theoretical background of a new concept in quantum optics: entangled interferometry. As a relevant application of this new paradigm, a novel two-photon welcher-weg argument within a delayed-choice experiment is presented. It leads to an unexpected complementarity puzzle which expresses the manifestation of the EPR non-locality within the general context of interferometry. PACS numbers: 03.65.Bz, 42.50.-p, 42.50.Wm.

Fortschritte der Physik•Nov 1, 1998•3 citations

Fringe visibility and correlation in Mach–Zehnder interferometer with an asymmetric beam splitter

Yanjun Liu, Mei-Ya Wang, Zhongcheng Xiang +1 more

We study the wave–particle duality in a general Mach–Zehnder interferometer with an asymmetric beam splitter from the viewpoint of quantum information theory. The correlations (including the classical correlation and the quantum correlation) between the particle and the which-path detector are derived when they are in pure state or mixed state at the output of Mach–Zehnder interferometer. It is found that the fringe visibility and the correlations are effected by the asymmetric beam splitter and the input state of the particle. The complementary relations between the fringe visibility and the correlations are also presented.

arXiv:2203.16145•Chinese Physics B•Aug 24, 2022•4 citations

Quantum Optical Discussion of Uncertainty and Complementarity in a Mach-Zehnder Interferometer

Doron ludwin, Y. Ben-Aryeh, A. Mann

We discuss complementarity and uncertainty in a gedanken Which-Way (Welcher-Weg) experiment in a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. Although a Welcher-Weg measurement can be performed with only a negligible amount of momentum change in the detector itself, the change in the interference pattern must correspond to a change in the momentum distribution of the particle. Entanglement between the Mach-Zehnder interferometer and the Welcher-Weg measurement introduces orthogonality that disables the interference of the particle, but simultaneously, it also generates a momentum transfer between the particle and other parts of the whole entangled system (including macroscopic parts). This analysis can be related to the Delayed Choice interpretation. We show where the momentum change takes place and we conclude that entanglement is the key to understand how complementarity (i.e. Which Way versus interference) and the position-momentum uncertainty relation are interwoven.

arXiv:quant-ph/0008096•Aug 23, 2000•0 citations
The realization of the optical stochastic (or nonstationary) field interferometer (Sto-IF) is reported. By this device, whose properties are determined by those of the stochastic beam splitter (Sto-BS), relevant Bose-Einstein correlations are generated within the investigated particle field. A very general quantum theory of Sto-BS and Sto-IF is reported. Because it accounts for any distribution function of the Sto-BS driving field, this theory embodies the formal content and the results of previous interferometry theories. All theoretical results are substantiated by an experiment carried out with a Mach-Zehnder Sto-IF. Basic considerations on Bohr's complementarity in stochastic interferometry are expressed on the basis of Shannon's information theory applied to the particle welcher weg problem.
We report the experimental realization of first- and second-order optical stochastic interferometry with single-photon Fock states and with a couple of photons generated by spontaneous parametric downconversion. The behavior of the constitutive element of the stochastic interferometer, the stochastic beam splitter, is theoretically described, both for first- and second-order interferometry. The theory predicts a reduction of the visibility from 1 to π/4 and to 1/2, respectively, for the two cases. These results are a direct consequence of the presence of Bose–Einstein correlations within the electromagnetic field. The visibility reduction obtained in the two experiments and their comparison with theoretical predictions are discussed in detail.
A quantum mechanical description of a non-absorbing electromagnetic (em) beam splitter (BS) transformation is given by the use of momentum creation operators, which also include momentum shift operators operating on the BS. This BS transformation is used for analysing photon-statistics effects in the em Mach-Zehnder interferometer. Also the relation between this BS transformation and Welcher-Weg measurements is discussed. The analogy between em and atom interferometers is described with an emphasis on the use of high-order correlation functions. The entanglement between the interfering beams in these interferometers and the BS is taken into account in our analysis for treating special effects.
A novel quantum optical interference experiment based on a delayed correlation technique and involving photons prepared in a polarization-entangled state is presented. The resulting phenomenology is found to be determined by the simultaneous realization of several non-classical interference processes of distinct nature albeit strictly interrelated. A formal interpretation of the results is attempted by a standard quantum analysis and by the adoption of a set of interfering Feynman diagrams. In addition, a physical interpre-tation at a deeper level is undertaken by introducing for the system the basic theoretical background of a new concept in quantum optics: entangled interferometry. As a relevant application of this new paradigm, a novel two-photon welcher-weg argument within a delayed-choice experiment is presented. It leads to an unexpected complementarity puzzle which expresses the manifestation of the EPR non-locality within the general context of interferometry. PACS numbers: 03.65.Bz, 42.50.-p, 42.50.Wm.
We study the wave–particle duality in a general Mach–Zehnder interferometer with an asymmetric beam splitter from the viewpoint of quantum information theory. The correlations (including the classical correlation and the quantum correlation) between the particle and the which-path detector are derived when they are in pure state or mixed state at the output of Mach–Zehnder interferometer. It is found that the fringe visibility and the correlations are effected by the asymmetric beam splitter and the input state of the particle. The complementary relations between the fringe visibility and the correlations are also presented.
We discuss complementarity and uncertainty in a gedanken Which-Way (Welcher-Weg) experiment in a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. Although a Welcher-Weg measurement can be performed with only a negligible amount of momentum change in the detector itself, the change in the interference pattern must correspond to a change in the momentum distribution of the particle. Entanglement between the Mach-Zehnder interferometer and the Welcher-Weg measurement introduces orthogonality that disables the interference of the particle, but simultaneously, it also generates a momentum transfer between the particle and other parts of the whole entangled system (including macroscopic parts). This analysis can be related to the Delayed Choice interpretation. We show where the momentum change takes place and we conclude that entanglement is the key to understand how complementarity (i.e. Which Way versus interference) and the position-momentum uncertainty relation are interwoven.