1,170 research outputs found
Single-shot measurement of quantum optical phase
Although the canonical phase of light, which is defined as the complement of
photon number, has been described theoretically by a variety of distinct
approaches, there have been no methods proposed for its measurement. Indeed
doubts have been expressed about whether or not it is measurable. Here we show
how it is possible, at least in principle, to perform a single-shot measurement
of canonical phase using beam splitters, mirrors, phase shifters and
photodetectors.Comment: This paper was published in PRL in 2002 but, at the time, was not
placed on the archive. It is included now to make accessing this paper easie
The fundamental cycle of concept construction underlying various theoretical frameworks
In this paper, the development of mathematical concepts over time is considered. Particular reference is given to the shifting of attention from step-by-step procedures that are performed in time, to symbolism that can be manipulated as mental entities on paper and in the mind. The development is analysed using different theoretical perspectives, including the SOLO model and various theories of concept construction to reveal a fundamental cycle underlying the building of concepts that features widely in different ways of thinking that occurs throughout mathematical learning
Retrodiction with two-level atoms: atomic previvals
In the Jaynes-Cummings model a two-level atom interacts with a single-mode
electromagnetic field. Quantum mechanics predicts collapses and revivals in the
probability that a measurement will show the atom to be excited at various
times after the initial preparation of the atom and field. In retrodictive
quantum mechanics we seek the probability that the atom was prepared in a
particular state given the initial state of the field and the outcome of a
later measurement on the atom. Although this is not simply the time reverse of
the usual predictive problem, we demonstrate in this paper that retrodictive
collapses and revivals also exist. We highlight the differences between
predictive and retrodictive evolutions and describe an interesting situation
where the prepared state is essentially unretrodictable.Comment: 15 pages, 3 (5) figure
Monitoring and Measuring Hydraulic Fracturing Growth During Preconditioning of a Roof Rock over a Coal Longwall Panel
Fusarium wilt of banana: Global problems and perspectives
Fusarium wilt of banana is recognized as one of the most destructive diseases of banana worldwide. In addition to an overview of the history of research into fusarium wilt of banana, a precis of the current global problems posed by this disease to producers and consumers of bananas is presented in this paper. Key issues and opportunities facing scientific researchers in their attempts to find solutions to the management of this disease are also discussed, with reference to the notion of sustainable agriculture
Large-uncertainty intelligent states for angular momentum and angle
The equality in the uncertainty principle for linear momentum and position is
obtained for states which also minimize the uncertainty product. However, in
the uncertainty relation for angular momentum and angular position both sides
of the inequality are state dependent and therefore the intelligent states,
which satisfy the equality, do not necessarily give a minimum for the
uncertainty product. In this paper, we highlight the difference between
intelligent states and minimum uncertainty states by investigating a class of
intelligent states which obey the equality in the angular uncertainty relation
while having an arbitrarily large uncertainty product. To develop an
understanding for the uncertainties of angle and angular momentum for the
large-uncertainty intelligent states we compare exact solutions with analytical
approximations in two limiting cases.Comment: 20 pages, 9 figures, submitted to J. Opt. B special issue in
connection with ICSSUR 2005 conferenc
Retrodiction as a tool for micromaser field measurements
We use retrodictive quantum theory to describe cavity field measurements by
successive atomic detections in the micromaser. We calculate the state of the
micromaser cavity field prior to detection of sequences of atoms in either the
excited or ground state, for atoms that are initially prepared in the excited
state. This provides the POM elements, which describe such sequences of
measurements.Comment: 20 pages, 4(8) figure
On the Spectrum of Field Quadratures for a Finite Number of Photons
The spectrum and eigenstates of any field quadrature operator restricted to a
finite number of photons are studied, in terms of the Hermite polynomials.
By (naturally) defining \textit{approximate} eigenstates, which represent
highly localized wavefunctions with up to photons, one can arrive at an
appropriate notion of limit for the spectrum of the quadrature as goes to
infinity, in the sense that the limit coincides with the spectrum of the
infinite-dimensional quadrature operator. In particular, this notion allows the
spectra of truncated phase operators to tend to the complete unit circle, as
one would expect. A regular structure for the zeros of the Christoffel-Darboux
kernel is also shown.Comment: 16 pages, 11 figure
Balancing efficiencies by squeezing in realistic eight-port homodyne detection
We address measurements of covariant phase observables (CPOs) by means of
realistic eight-port homodyne detectors. We do not assume equal quantum
efficiencies for the four photodetectors and investigate the conditions under
which the measurement of a CPO may be achieved. We show that balancing the
efficiencies using an additional beam splitter allows us to achieve a CPO at
the price of reducing the overall effective efficiency, and prove that it is
never a smearing of the ideal CPO achievable with unit quantum efficiency. An
alternative strategy based on employing a squeezed vacuum as a parameter field
is also suggested, which allows one to increase the overall efficiency in
comparison to the passive case using only a moderate amount of squeezing. Both
methods are suitable for implementantion with current technology.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures, revised versio
Entanglement purification of multi-mode quantum states
An iterative random procedure is considered allowing an entanglement
purification of a class of multi-mode quantum states. In certain cases, a
complete purification may be achieved using only a single signal state
preparation. A physical implementation based on beam splitter arrays and
non-linear elements is suggested. The influence of loss is analyzed in the
example of a purification of entangled N-mode coherent states.Comment: 6 pages, 3 eps-figures, using revtex
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