Difference between revisions of "Quantum light: states and dynamics"

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* [http://prola.aps.org/abstract/PR/v130/i6/p2529_1 Roy Glauber's 1963 Phys. Rev. article on coherent states]
 
* [http://prola.aps.org/abstract/PR/v130/i6/p2529_1 Roy Glauber's 1963 Phys. Rev. article on coherent states]
  
* Atom correlations and g(2)    [http://cua.mit.edu/8.422/HANDOUTS/Atom_correlations.pdf Lecture notes]            [http://cua.mit.edu/8.422/HANDOUTS/HBT%20with%20He%20nature05513-1.pdf Nature paper on 2007 experiment]        [http://cua.mit.edu/8.422/HANDOUTS/baym_HBT%20experiment.pdf Copies from Gordon Baym’s quantum mechanic book on HBT experiment with atoms]
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* Atom correlations and g(2)    [http://cua.mit.edu/8.422/HANDOUTS/Atom_correlations.pdf Lecture notes]            [http://cua.mit.edu/8.422/HANDOUTS/HBT%20with%20He%20nature05513-1.pdf Nature paper on 2007 experiment]        [http://cua.mit.edu/8.422/HANDOUTS/baym_HBT%20experiment.pdf Copies from Gordon Baym’s quantum mechanics book on HBT experiment with atoms]
  
 
[[Category:8.422|2]]
 
[[Category:8.422|2]]
 
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[[Category:Quantum Light|0]]

Revision as of 15:42, 11 February 2009

This chapter is a study of the quantum properties of light, specifically, single-mode monochromatic light. We begin by considering the states in which quanta of the electromatic field, photons, may exist. We describe how these states are mathematically represented, and how they transform under simple physical operations, such as propagation through free space, and through optical beamsplitters. We also consider how two modes of light may relate to each other, in particular through entanglement, a purely quantum-mechanical property which can be a useful resource. Throughout this study of the quantum nature light, we develop an intuition and a language for quantum states and behaviors which may be applied not just to light, but also, to analogous states of matter.



References & Handouts

A good, modern book on quantum optics (and some atomic physics) is "Exploring the Quantum: Atoms, Cavities, and Photons," by Haroche and Raimond. See Chapter 3, "Of spins and springs" for a lively discussion about photons, and photons coupled to an atom.