Near-unit fidelity entanglement distribution using Gaussian communication

We show how to distribute with percentage success probabilities almost perfectly entangled qubit memory pairs over repeater channel segments of the order of the optical attenuation distance. In addition to some weak, dispersive light-matter interactions, only Gaussian state transmissions and measurements are needed for this scheme, which even beats the coherent-state-benchmark for entanglement distribution based on error-free non-Gaussian measurements. This is achieved through two innovations: first, optical squeezed states are utilized instead of coherent states. Secondly, the amplitudes of the bright signal pulses are reamplified at each repeater station. This latter variation is a strategy reminiscent of classical repeaters and would be impossible in single-photon-based schemes.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Time-frequency Domain Analogues of Phase Space Sub-Planck Structures

We present experimental data of the frequency resolved optical gating (FROG) measurements of light pulses revealing interference features corresponding to sub-Planck structures in phase space. For superpositions of pulses a small, sub-Fourier shift in the carrier frequency leads to a state orthogonal to the initial one, although in the representation of standard time-frequency distributions these states seem to have a nonvanishing overlap.Comment: New title, minor change

Quantum Interference in the Kirkwood-Rihaczek representation

We discuss the Kirkwood-Rihaczek phase space distribution and analyze a whole new class of quasi-distributions connected with this function. All these functions have the correct marginals. We construct a coherent state representation of such functions, discuss which operator ordering corresponds to the Kirkwood-Rihaczek distribution and their generalizations, and show how such states are connected to squeezed states. Quantum interference in the Kirkwood-Rihaczek representation is discussed.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figure

Rate analysis for a hybrid quantum repeater

We present a detailed rate analysis for a hybrid quantum repeater assuming perfect memories and using optimal probabilistic entanglement generation and deterministic swapping routines. The hybrid quantum repeater protocol is based on atomic qubit-entanglement distribution through optical coherent-state communication. An exact, analytical formula for the rates of entanglement generation in quantum repeaters is derived, including a study on the impacts of entanglement purification and multiplexing strategies. More specifically, we consider scenarios with as little purification as possible and we show that for sufficiently low local losses, such purifications are still more powerful than multiplexing. In a possible experimental scenario, our hybrid system can create near-maximally entangled (F = 0.98) pairs over a distance of 1280 km at rates of the order of 100 Hz

Talbot effect in cylindrical waveguides

We extend the theory of Talbot revivals for planar or rectangular geometry to the case of cylindrical waveguides. We derive a list of conditions that are necessary to obtain revivals in cylindrical waveguides. A phase space approach based on the Wigner and the Kirkwood-Rihaczek functions provides a pictorial representation of TM modes interference associated with the Talbot effect

Hydrogen atom in phase space: The Wigner representation

We have found an effective method of calculating the Wigner function, being a quantum analogue of joint probability distribution of position and momentum, for bound states of nonrelativistic hydrogen atom. The formal similarity between the eigenfunctions of nonrelativistic hydrogen atom in the momentum representation and Klein-Gordon propagators has allowed the calculation of the Wigner function for an arbitrary bound state of the hydrogen atom. These Wigner functions for some low lying states are depicted and discussed.Comment: 8 pages (including figures

Searching for extremal PPT entangled states

We study extremality in various sets of states that have positive partial transposes. One of the tools we use for this purpose is the recently formulated criterion allowing to judge if a given state is extremal in the set of PPT states. First we investigate qubit--ququart states and show that the only candidates for extremal PPT entangled states (PPTES) have ranks of the state and its partial transposition (5,5) or (5,6) (equivalently (6,5)). Then, examples of extremal states of (5,5) type and the so--called edge states of type (5,6) are provided. We also make an attempt to explore the set of PPT states with ranks (5,6). Finally, we discuss what are the possible configurations of ranks of density matrices and their respective partial transposition in general three-qubit and four-qubit symmetric states for which there may exist extremal entangled PPT states. For instance in the first case we show that the only possibilities are (4,4,4) and (4,4,5).Comment: 12 pages, 2 figures, revised version due to the partial overlap with results of arXiv:0704.3348, some new results on extremality in multi-qubit systems added, contribution to the special issue of Optics Communications in memory of Krzysztof Wodkiewic