Quantum second harmonic generation in terms of elementary processes

We address the quantum dynamics of second harmonic generation with a perturbative approach. By inspecting the Taylor expansion of the unitary evolution, we identify the subsequent application of annihilation and creation operators as elementary processes and find out how the expansion of the second-harmonic photon-number probability distribution can be expressed in terms of the interplay of these processes. We show that overlaps between the output states of different elementary processes contribute to the expansion of the probability distribution and provide a diagrammatic technique to analytically retrieve terms of the distribution expansion at any order

Advances in Quantum Nonlinear Optics: a nonclassical journey from the optimization of silicon photomultipliers for Quantum Optics to quantum second-harmonic generation

openIn this thesis, we present our experimental and theoretical work on modern and old topics of Nonlinear Quantum Optics. The thesis is structured as follows. In the first chapter, we provide a general introduction about the basis of this field, in particular about the main concepts and results that will be needed in the following. In the second and third chapters, we explain our research on the role of silicon photomultipliers in Quantum Optics experiments. After a specific characterization of the sensors, we used them to detect nonclassical states of light. Different strategies for the estimation of experimental quantities are suggested. In the fourth chapter, we propose our quantum description for the second-harmonic-generation process, based on well-known perturbative methods. After a general introduction on the state of the art, we immediately dive into the problem by explaining the employed methods and showing our analytical results. Finally, we resume the essence of our achievements and draw our conclusions.openFisica e astrofisicaChesi, GiovanniChesi, Giovann

Advances in Quantum Nonlinear Optics: a nonclassical journey from the optimization of silicon photomultipliers for Quantum Optics to quantum second-harmonic generation

In this thesis, we present our experimental and theoretical work on modern and old topics of Nonlinear Quantum Optics. The thesis is structured as follows. In the first chapter, we provide a general introduction about the basis of this field, in particular about the main concepts and results that will be needed in the following. In the second and third chapters, we explain our research on the role of silicon photomultipliers in Quantum Optics experiments. After a specific characterization of the sensors, we used them to detect nonclassical states of light. Different strategies for the estimation of experimental quantities are suggested. In the fourth chapter, we propose our quantum description for the second-harmonic-generation process, based on well-known perturbative methods. After a general introduction on the state of the art, we immediately dive into the problem by explaining the employed methods and showing our analytical results. Finally, we resume the essence of our achievements and draw our conclusions

Squeezing-enhanced phase-shift-keyed binary communication in noisy channels

We address binary phase-shift-keyed communication channels based on Gaussian states and prove that squeezing improves state discrimination at fixed energy of the channel, also in the presence of phase diffusion. We then assess performances of homodyne detection against the ultimate quantum limits to discrimination, and show that homodyning achieves optimality in large noise regime. Finally, we consider noise in the preparation of the seed signal (before phase encoding) and show that also in this case squeezing may improve state discrimination in realistic conditions.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure

Tight bounds from multiple-observable entropic uncertainty relations

We investigate the additivity properties for both bipartite and multipartite systems by using entropic uncertainty relations (EUR) defined in terms of the joint Shannon entropy of probabilities of local measurement outcomes. In particular, we introduce state-independent and state-dependent entropic inequalities. Interestingly, the violation of these inequalities is strictly connected with the presence of quantum correlations. We show that the additivity of EUR holds only for EUR that involve two observables, while this is not the case for inequalities that consider more than two observables or the addition of the von Neumann entropy of a subsystem. We apply them to bipartite systems and to several classes of states of a three-qubit system.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figure

A protocol for global multiphase estimation

Global estimation strategies allow to extract information on a phase or a set of phases without any prior knowledge, which is, instead, required for local estimation strategies. We devise a global multiphase protocol based on Holevo's estimation theory and apply it to the case of digital estimation, i.e. we estimate the phases in terms of the mutual information between them and the corresponding estimators. In the single-phase scenario, the protocol encompasses two specific known optimal strategies. We extend them to the simultaneous estimation of two phases and evaluate their performance. Then, we retrieve the ultimate digital bound on precision when a generic number of phases is simultaneously estimated. We show that in the multiphase strategy there is only a constant quantum advantage with respect to a sequence of independent single-phase estimations. This extends a recent similar result, which settled a controversy on the search for the multiphase enhancement

Microbiota-driven interleukin-17-producing cells and eosinophils synergize to accelerate multiple myeloma progression

The gut microbiota has been causally linked to cancer, yet how intestinal microbes influence progression of extramucosal tumors is poorly understood. Here we provide evidence implying that Prevotella heparinolytica promotes the differentiation of Th17 cells colonizing the gut and migrating to the bone marrow (BM) of transgenic Vk*MYC mice, where they favor progression of multiple myeloma (MM). Lack of IL-17 in Vk*MYC mice, or disturbance of their microbiome delayed MM appearance. Similarly, in smoldering MM patients, higher levels of BM IL-17 predicted faster disease progression. IL-17 induced STAT3 phosphorylation in murine plasma cells, and activated eosinophils. Treatment of Vk*MYC mice with antibodies blocking IL-17, IL-17RA, and IL-5 reduced BM accumulation of Th17 cells and eosinophils and delayed disease progression. Thus, in Vk*MYC mice, commensal bacteria appear to unleash a paracrine signaling network between adaptive and innate immunity that accelerates progression to MM, and can be targeted by already available therapies

Strangeness enhancement at mid-rapidity in Pb-Pb collisions at 158 GeV/c

$K^{0}_{s}$, $\Lambda$, $\Xi$, $\Omega$ and negative particle yields and transverse mass spectra have been measured at central rapidity in Pb-Pb and p-Pb collisions at 158 $A$ GeV/$c$. The yields in Pb-Pb interactions % are presented as a function of the collision centrality and compared with those obtained from p-Pb collisions. Strangeness enhancement in Pb-Pb relative to p-Pb collisions increases with the strangeness content of the particle. Going from p-Pb to Pb-Pb, the strange particle yields increase faster than linearly with the number of participants $N_{part}$ up to $N_{part} \approx 100$, thereafter the increase becomes %linear with $N_{part}$. Yields are studied as a function of the number of nucleons participating in the collision $N_{part}$, which is estimated with the Glauber model. From p-Pb to Pb-Pb collisions the particle yields per participant increase substantially. The enhancement is more pronounced for multistrange particles, and exceeds an order of magnitude for the $\Omega$. For a number of participants, $N_{part}$, greater than $100$, however, all yields per participant appear to be constant