204 research outputs found
Entangled-photon Fourier optics
Entangled photons, generated by spontaneous parametric down-conversion from a
second-order nonlinear crystal, present a rich potential for imaging and
image-processing applications. Since this source is an example of a three-wave
mixing process, there is more flexibility in the choices of illumination and
detection wavelengths and in the placement of object(s) to be imaged. Moreover,
this source is entangled, a fact that allows for imaging configurations and
capabilities that cannot be achieved using classical sources of light. In this
paper we examine a number of imaging and image-processing configurations that
can be realized using this source. The formalism that we utilize facilitates
the determination of the dependence of imaging resolution on the physical
parameters of the optical arrangement.Comment: 41 pages, 12 figures, accepted for publication in J. Opt. Soc. Am.
Quantum Holography
We propose to make use of quantum entanglement for extracting holographic
information about a remote 3-D object in a confined space which light enters,
but from which it cannot escape. Light scattered from the object is detected in
this confined space entirely without the benefit of spatial resolution. Quantum
holography offers this possibility by virtue of the fourth-order quantum
coherence inherent in entangled beams.Comment: 7 pages, submitted to Optics Expres
Entangled-Photon Imaging of a Pure Phase Object
We demonstrate experimentally and theoretically that a coherent image of a
pure phase object may be obtained by use of a spatially incoherent illumination
beam. This is accomplished by employing a two-beam source of entangled photons
generated by spontaneous parametric down-conversion. Though each of the beams
is, in and of itself, spatially incoherent, the pair of beams exhibits
higher-order inter-beam coherence. One of the beams probes the phase object
while the other is scanned. The image is recorded by measuring the photon
coincidence rate using a photon-counting detector in each beam. Using a
reflection configuration, we successfully imaged a phase object implemented by
a MEMS micro-mirror array. The experimental results are in accord with
theoretical predictions.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figures, submittedto Phys. Rev. Let
Gaussian-State Theory of Two-Photon Imaging
Biphoton states of signal and idler fields--obtained from spontaneous
parametric downconversion (SPDC) in the low-brightness, low-flux regime--have
been utilized in several quantum imaging configurations to exceed the
resolution performance of conventional imagers that employ coherent-state or
thermal light. Recent work--using the full Gaussian-state description of
SPDC--has shown that the same resolution performance seen in quantum optical
coherence tomography and the same imaging characteristics found in quantum
ghost imaging can be realized by classical-state imagers that make use of
phase-sensitive cross correlations. This paper extends the Gaussian-state
analysis to two additional biphoton-state quantum imaging scenarios: far field
diffraction-pattern imaging; and broadband thin-lens imaging. It is shown that
the spatial resolution behavior in both cases is controlled by the nonzero
phase-sensitive cross correlation between the signal and idler fields. Thus,
the same resolution can be achieved in these two configurations with
classical-state signal and idler fields possessing a nonzero phase-sensitive
cross correlation.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figure
Feature issue introduction: specialty optical fibers
For groundbreaking achievements concerning the transmission of light in fibers for optical communication. With this citation, the Nobel Committee bestowed the 2009 Nobel Prize in Physics to Dr. Charles Kao and validated the global importance of optical fibers. That said, technological demands march on and the applications in which optical fibers are employed continue to expand. Further, both existing and emerging applications are requiring greater performance and functionality, beyond those associated with telecommunications, from the enabling optical fibers; and so it is timely to offer this special issue that compiles recent advances in specialty optical fibers
Ellipsometric measurements by use of photon pairs generated by spontaneous parametric down-conversion
We present a novel interferometric technique for performing ellipsometric
measurements. This technique relies on the use of a non-classical optical
source, namely, polarization-entangled twin photons generated by spontaneous
parametric down-conversion from a nonlinear crystal, in conjunction with a
coincidence-detection scheme. Ellipsometric measurements acquired with this
scheme are absolute; i.e., they do not require source and detector calibration.Comment: 10 pages, accepted for publication in Optics Letter
Synthesis and Analysis of Entangled Photonic Qubits in Spatial-Parity Space
We present the novel embodiment of a photonic qubit that makes use of one
continuous spatial degree of freedom of a single photon and relies on the the
parity of the photon's transverse spatial distribution. Using optical
spontaneous parametric downconversion to produce photon pairs, we demonstrate
the controlled generation of entangled-photon states in this new space.
Specifically, two Bell states, and a continuum of their superpositions, are
generated by simple manipulation of a classical parameter, the optical-pump
spatial parity, and not by manipulation of the entangled photons themselves. An
interferometric device, isomorphic in action to a polarizing beam splitter,
projects the spatial-parity states onto an even--odd basis. This new physical
realization of photonic qubits could be used as a foundation for future
experiments in quantum information processing.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures, submitted to PR
Experimental evidence of high-resolution ghost imaging and ghost diffraction with classical thermal light
High-resolution ghost image and ghost diffraction experiments are performed
by using a single source of thermal-like speckle light divided by a beam
splitter. Passing from the image to the diffraction result solely relies on
changing the optical setup in the reference arm, while leaving untouched the
object arm. The product of spatial resolutions of the ghost image and ghost
diffraction experiments is shown to overcome a limit which was formerly thought
to be achievable only with entangled photons.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure
- …