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

Latin America Optics and Photonics Conference

Observation of the van Cittert-Zernike Modification of Quantum Coherence

Jannatul Ferdous, Mingyuan Hong, Riley B. Dawkins, Fatemeh Mostafavi, Alina O. Oktyabrskaya, Roberto de J. León‐Montiel, Chenglong You, Omar S. Magaña‐Loaiza

Published Jan 1, 2024• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We report on the modification of quantum coherence via scattering of thermal multiphoton wave-packets upon propagation. Our observations are validated through the nonclassical formulation of the emblematic van Cittert-Zernike theorem.
DOI
10.1364/laop.2024.m3b.4

Related papers

Projectile coherence: The Van Cittert - Zernike theorem revisited

Ignacio Fabre, Francisco Navarrete, L. Sarkadi +1 more

We study the time evolution of an incoherent mixture of identical particles by solving the Liouville - von Neumann equation for the corresponding density matrix. We demonstrate the quantum mechanical equivalent of van Cittert - Zernike theorem, and apply these results to the quantitative analysis of the coherence of a beam of particles in atomic collisions.

Journal of Physics Conference Series•Sep 7, 2015•3 citations

Emergence of Multiphoton Quantum Coherence by Light Propagation

Jannatul Ferdous, Mingyuan Hong, Riley B. Dawkins +5 more

The modification of the quantum properties of coherence of photons through their interaction with matter lies at the heart of the quantum theory of light. Indeed, the absorption and emission of photons by atoms can lead to different kinds of light with characteristic quantum statistical properties. As such, different types of light are typically associated with distinct sources. Here, we report on the observation of the modification of quantum coherence of multiphoton systems in free space. This surprising effect is produced by the scattering of thermal multiphoton wavepackets upon propagation. The modification of the excitation mode of a photonic system and its associated quantum fluctuations result in the formation of different light fields with distinct quantum coherence properties. Remarkably, we show that these processes of scattering can lead to multiphoton systems with subshot-noise quantum properties. Our observations are validated through the nonclassical formulation of the emblematic van Cittert–Zernike theorem. We believe that the possibility of producing quantum systems with modified properties of coherence, through linear propagation, can have dramatic implications for diverse quantum technologies.

arXiv:2403.17201•ACS Photonics•Aug 8, 2024•5 citations

Measurement of the Quantum Dynamics of a Macroscopic Photonic System

Chenglong You, Mingyuan Hong, Roberto de J. León‐Montiel +2 more

We report on the observation of the nonclassical dynamics of a classical macroscopic system. The multiphoton dynamics of the subsystems can be opposite to that exhibited by the classical macroscopic system.

Latin America Optics and Photonics Conference•Jan 1, 2024•0 citations

Nonclassicality and Decoherence of Photon-added Thermo-invariant Coherent State

PingAn Hu, Jian He

International Journal of Theoretical Physics•Dec 14, 2009•4 citations

Multiphoton quantum van Cittert-Zernike theorem

Chenglong You, Ashe Miller, Roberto de J. León‐Montiel +1 more

Abstract Recent progress on quantum state engineering has enabled the preparation of quantum photonic systems comprising multiple interacting particles. Interestingly, multiphoton quantum systems can host many complex forms of interference and scattering processes that are essential to perform operations that are intractable on classical systems. Unfortunately, the quantum coherence properties of multiphoton systems degrade upon propagation leading to undesired quantum-to-classical transitions. Furthermore, the manipulation of multiphoton quantum systems requires nonlinear interactions at the few-photon level. Here, we introduce the quantum van Cittert-Zernike theorem to describe the scattering and interference effects of propagating multiphoton systems. This fundamental theorem demonstrates that the quantum statistical fluctuations, which define the nature of diverse light sources, can be modified upon propagation in the absence of light-matter interactions. The generality of our formalism unveils the conditions under which the evolution of multiphoton systems can lead to surprising photon statistics modifications. Specifically, we show that the implementation of conditional measurements may enable the all-optical preparation of multiphoton systems with attenuated quantum statistics below the shot-noise limit. Remarkably, this effect cannot be explained through the classical theory of optical coherence. As such, our work opens new paradigms within the established field of quantum coherence.

npj Quantum Information•May 26, 2023•12 citations

Multiphoton Quantum van Cittert-Zernike Theorem

Miller, Ashe, Chenglong You, Roberto de J. León‐Montiel +1 more

Recent progress on quantum state engineering has enabled the preparation of quantum photonic systems comprising multiple interacting particles. Interestingly, multiphoton quantum systems can host many complex forms of interference and scattering processes that are essential to perform operations that are intractable on classical systems. Unfortunately, the quantum coherence properties of multiphoton systems degrade upon propagation leading to undesired quantum-to-classical transitions. Furthermore, the manipulation of multiphoton quantum systems requires of nonlinear interactions at the few-photon level. Here, we introduce the quantum van Cittert-Zernike theorem to describe the scattering and interference effects of propagating multiphoton systems. This fundamental theorem demonstrates that the quantum statistical fluctuations, which define the nature of diverse light sources, can be modified upon propagation in the absence of light-matter interactions. The generality of our formalism unveils the conditions under which the evolution of multiphoton systems can lead to surprising classical-to-quantum transitions. Specifically, we show that the implementation of conditional measurements may enable the all-optical preparation of multiphoton systems with attenuated quantum statistics below the shot-noise limit. Remarkably, this effect had not been discussed before and cannot be explained through the classical theory of optical coherence. As such, our work opens new paradigms within the established field of quantum coherence.

arXiv:2202.07119•Feb 15, 2022•1 citation
The modification of the quantum properties of coherence of photons through their interaction with matter lies at the heart of the quantum theory of light. Indeed, the absorption and emission of photons by atoms can lead to different kinds of light with characteristic quantum statistical properties. As such, different types of light are typically associated with distinct sources. Here, we report on the observation of the modification of quantum coherence of multiphoton systems in free space. This surprising effect is produced by the scattering of thermal multiphoton wavepackets upon propagation. The modification of the excitation mode of a photonic system and its associated quantum fluctuations result in the formation of different light fields with distinct quantum coherence properties. Remarkably, we show that these processes of scattering can lead to multiphoton systems with subshot-noise quantum properties. Our observations are validated through the nonclassical formulation of the emblematic van Cittert–Zernike theorem. We believe that the possibility of producing quantum systems with modified properties of coherence, through linear propagation, can have dramatic implications for diverse quantum technologies.
Abstract Recent progress on quantum state engineering has enabled the preparation of quantum photonic systems comprising multiple interacting particles. Interestingly, multiphoton quantum systems can host many complex forms of interference and scattering processes that are essential to perform operations that are intractable on classical systems. Unfortunately, the quantum coherence properties of multiphoton systems degrade upon propagation leading to undesired quantum-to-classical transitions. Furthermore, the manipulation of multiphoton quantum systems requires nonlinear interactions at the few-photon level. Here, we introduce the quantum van Cittert-Zernike theorem to describe the scattering and interference effects of propagating multiphoton systems. This fundamental theorem demonstrates that the quantum statistical fluctuations, which define the nature of diverse light sources, can be modified upon propagation in the absence of light-matter interactions. The generality of our formalism unveils the conditions under which the evolution of multiphoton systems can lead to surprising photon statistics modifications. Specifically, we show that the implementation of conditional measurements may enable the all-optical preparation of multiphoton systems with attenuated quantum statistics below the shot-noise limit. Remarkably, this effect cannot be explained through the classical theory of optical coherence. As such, our work opens new paradigms within the established field of quantum coherence.
Recent progress on quantum state engineering has enabled the preparation of quantum photonic systems comprising multiple interacting particles. Interestingly, multiphoton quantum systems can host many complex forms of interference and scattering processes that are essential to perform operations that are intractable on classical systems. Unfortunately, the quantum coherence properties of multiphoton systems degrade upon propagation leading to undesired quantum-to-classical transitions. Furthermore, the manipulation of multiphoton quantum systems requires of nonlinear interactions at the few-photon level. Here, we introduce the quantum van Cittert-Zernike theorem to describe the scattering and interference effects of propagating multiphoton systems. This fundamental theorem demonstrates that the quantum statistical fluctuations, which define the nature of diverse light sources, can be modified upon propagation in the absence of light-matter interactions. The generality of our formalism unveils the conditions under which the evolution of multiphoton systems can lead to surprising classical-to-quantum transitions. Specifically, we show that the implementation of conditional measurements may enable the all-optical preparation of multiphoton systems with attenuated quantum statistics below the shot-noise limit. Remarkably, this effect had not been discussed before and cannot be explained through the classical theory of optical coherence. As such, our work opens new paradigms within the established field of quantum coherence.