Maximum-likelihood method in quantum estimation

The maximum-likelihood method for quantum estimation is reviewed and applied to the reconstruction of density matrix of spin and radiation as well as to the determination of several parameters of interest in quantum optics.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figure

Non-divisibility vs backflow of information in understanding revivals of quantum correlations for continuous-variable systems interacting with fluctuating environments

We address the dynamics of quantum correlations for a bipartite continuous-variable quantum system interacting with its fluctuating environment. In particular, we consider two independent quantum oscillators initially prepared in a Gaussian state, e.g. a squeezed thermal state, and compare the dynamics resulting from local noise, i.e. oscillators coupled to two independent external fields, to that originating from common noise, i.e. oscillators interacting with a single common field. We prove non-Markovianity (non-divisibility) of the dynamics in both regimes and analyze the connections between non-divisibility, backflow of information and revivals of quantum correlations. Our main results may be summarized as follows: (i) revivals of quantumness are present in both scenarios, however, the interaction with a common environment better preserves the quantum features of the system; (ii) the dynamics is always non-divisible but revivals of quantum correlations are present only when backflow of information is present as well. We conclude that non-divisibility in its own is not a resource to preserve quantum correlations in our system, i.e. it is not sufficient to observe recoherence phenomena. Rather, it represents a necessary prerequisite to obtain backflow of information, which is the true ingredient to obtain revivals of quantumness

Entanglement as a resource for discrimination of classical environments

We address extended systems interacting with classical fluctuating environments and analyze the use of quantum probes to discriminate local noise, described by independent fluctuating fields, from common noise, corresponding to the interaction with a common one. In particular, we consider a bipartite system made of two non interacting harmonic oscillators and assess discrimination strategies based on homodyne detection, comparing their performances with the ultimate bounds on the error probabilities of quantum-limited measurements. We analyze in details the use of Gaussian probes, with emphasis on experimentally friendly signals. Our results show that a joint measurement of the position-quadrature on the two oscillators outperforms any other homodyne-based scheme for any input Gaussian state

Experimental reconstruction of photon statistics without photon counting

Experimental reconstructions of photon number distributions of both continuous-wave and pulsed light beams are reported. Our scheme is based on on/off avalanche photodetection assisted by maximum-likelihood estimation and does not involve photon counting. Reconstructions of the distribution for both semiclassical and quantum states of light are reported for single-mode as well as for multimode beams.Comment: Revised version: in press on PRL. 4 pages, 4 fig

About the use of entanglement in the optical implementation of quantum information processing

We review some applications of entanglement to improve quantum measurements and communication, with the main focus on the optical implementation of quantum information processing. The evolution of continuos variable entangled states in active optical fibers is also analyzed.Comment: 8pages, invited contribution to Quant. Interf. IV (ICTP Trieste 2002

Input-output relations for multiport ring cavities

Quantum input-output relations for a generic $n$-port ring cavity are obtained by modeling the ring as a cascade of $n$ interlinked beam splitters. Cavity response to a beam impinging on one port is studied as a function of the beam-splitter reflectivities and the internal phase-shifts. Interferometric sensitivity and stability are analyzed as a function of the number of ports.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures (low-res

Conditional measurements on multimode pairwise entangled states from spontaneous parametric downconversion

We address the intrinsic multimode nature of the quantum state of light obtained by pulsed spontaneous parametric downconversion and develop a theoretical model based only on experimentally accessible quantities. We exploit the pairwise entanglement as a resource for conditional multimode measurements and derive closed formulas for the detection probability and the density matrix of the conditional states. We present a set of experiments performed to validate our model in different conditions that are in excellent agreement with experimental data. Finally, we evaluate nonGaussianity of the conditional states obtained from our source with the aim of discussing the effects of the different experimental parameters on the efficacy of this type of conditional state preparation

Experimental pre-assessing entanglement in Gaussian states mixing

We suggest and demonstrate a method to assess entanglement generation schemes based on mixing of Gaussian states at a beam splitter (BS). Our method is based on the fidelity criterion and represents a tool to analyze the effect of losses and noise before the BS in both symmetric and asymmetric channels with and without thermal effects. More generally, our scheme allows one to pre-assess entanglement resources and to optimize the design of BS-based schemes for the generation of continuous variable entanglement.Comment: 10 pages, 15 figure