The Stokes Parameters for Quantum Systems

Luis Lorenzo Sánchez-Soto, Alfredo Luis

Ayman F. Abouraddy, Alexander V. Sergienko, Bahaa E. A. Saleh +1 more

A. S. Chirkin, Ranjit Singh

Edward Collett

The classical Stokes polarization parameters are extended to treat quantum systems. This is accomplished by using the semiclassical radiation theory and considering only radiation by the dipole mechanism. The identification of the Stokes parameters with the density matrix elements is noted. The Stokes parameters for a number of familiar quantum systems which undergo dipole radiation are then calculated.

Chia‐Liang Lin, Tsu-Hsu Yen

A. P. Alodzhants, Sergei M Arakelyan

We propose a new method for performing continuous quantum nondemolition measurements (QNDM) of the polarization characteristics of light, the signal photon number, and the Stokes parameters of light. For devices that implement such measurements we take cubically nonlinear double-filament optical fibers with tunnel coupling of the filaments. Such a system employs a four-mode mixing of the waves (two probe modes and two signal modes). Linear optical elements needed for preliminary and subsequent conversion of the Stokes parameters are also used. We show that measurements of one Stokes parameter can be used for QNDM of the phase difference between the two initial modes. Here the accuracy of such measurements is determined by the initial fluctuations of the Stokes parameters of the probe modes and by the size of the nonlinear mode conversion coefficient in the optical fibers.