Nonseparability and squeezing of continuous polarization variables

The impact of the operator-valued commutator on nonclassical properties of continuous polarization variables is discussed. The definition of polarization squeezing is clarified to exclude those squeezed states which do not contain any new physics beyond quadrature squeezing. We present a consistent derivation of the general nonseparability criterion for the continuous variables with the operator-valued commutator, and apply it to the polarization variables.Comment: Replaced with revised version, more explanations included, Appendix adde

The Bragg regime of the two-particle Kapitza-Dirac effect

We analyze the Bragg regime of the two-particle Kapitza-Dirac arrangement, completing the basic theory of this effect. We provide a detailed evaluation of the detection probabilities for multi-mode states, showing that a complete description must include the interaction time in addition to the usual dimensionless parameter w. The arrangement can be used as a massive two-particle beam splitter. In this respect, we present a comparison with Hong-Ou-Mandel-type experiments in quantum optics. The analysis reveals the presence of dips for massive bosons and a differentiated behavior of distinguishable and identical particles in an unexplored scenario. We suggest that the arrangement can provide the basis for symmetrization verification schemes

Correlated two-photon scattering in cavity optomechanics

We present an exact analytical solution of the two-photon scattering in a cavity optomechanical system. This is achieved by solving the quantum dynamics of the total system, including the optomechanical cavity and the cavity-field environment, with the Laplace transform method. The long-time solution reveals detailed physical processes involved as well as the corresponding resonant photon frequencies. We characterize the photon correlation induced in the scattering process by calculating the two-photon joint spectrum of the long-time state. Clear evidence for photon frequency anti-correlation can be observed in the joint spectrum. In addition, we calculate the equal-time second-order correlation function of the cavity photons. The results show that the radiation pressure coupling can induce photon blockade effect, which is strongly modulated by the phonon sideband resonance. In particular, we obtain an explicit expression of optomechanical coupling strength determining these sideband modulation peaks based on the two-photon resonance condition.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figure

Quantum interference and entanglement induced by multiple scattering of light

We report on the effects of quantum interference induced by transmission of an arbitrary number of optical quantum states through a multiple scattering medium. We identify the role of quantum interference on the photon correlations and the degree of continuous variable entanglement between two output modes. It is shown that the effect of quantum interference survives averaging over all ensembles of disorder and manifests itself as increased photon correlations giving rise to photon anti-bunching. Finally, the existence of continuous variable entanglement correlations in a volume speckle pattern is predicted. Our results suggest that multiple scattering provides a promising way of coherently interfering many independent quantum states of light of potential use in quantum information processing.Comment: 5 pages including 4 figure

Proposal for entangling remote micromechanical oscillators via optical measurements

We propose an experiment to create and verify entanglement between remote mechanical objects by use of an optomechanical interferometer. Two optical cavities, each coupled to a separate mechanical oscillator, are coherently driven such that the oscillators are laser cooled to the quantum regime. The entanglement is induced by optical measurement and comes about by combining the output from the two cavities to erase which-path information. It can be verified through measurements of degrees of second-order coherence of the optical output field. The experiment is feasible in the regime of weak optomechanical coupling. Realistic parameters for the membrane-in-the-middle geometry suggest entangled state lifetimes on the order of milliseconds.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures + supplementary material (7 pages, 2 figs). Updates in v2: New Eq. (7) and Fig. 1 - results unchanged. Added supplementary material with various details. Updates in v3: Minor changes, journal ref. adde

Modulational instability of partially coherent signals in electrical transmission lines

We present an investigation of the modulational instability of partially coherent signals in electrical transmission lines. Starting from the modified Ginzburg-Landau equations and the Wigner-Moyal representation, we derive a nonlinear dispersion relation for the modulational instability. It is found that the effect of signal broadbandness reduces the growth rate of the modulational instability.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure, to appear in Physical Review

Interference of an Array of Independent Bose-Einstein Condensates

Interference of an array of independent Bose-Einstein condensates, whose experiment has been performed recently, is theoretically studied in detail. Even if the number of the atoms in each gas is kept finite and the phases of the gases are not well defined, interference fringes are observed on each snapshot. The statistics of the snapshot interference patterns, i.e., the average fringe amplitudes and their fluctuations (covariance), are computed analytically, and concise formulas for their asymptotic values for long time of flight are derived. Processes contributing to these quantities are clarified and the relationship with the description on the basis of the symmetry-breaking scenario is revealed.Comment: 13 pages, 3 figure

Propagation of nonclassical light through an absorbing and dispersive slab

We calculate the effects of perpendicular propagation through a dispersive and absorbing dielectric slab at arbitrary temperatures on specific nonclassical properties of an incident light field. The transmitted signal is assumed to be measured by a detector that receives radiation only from the direction normal to thr slab surfaces. Squeezing and nonclassical counting statistics of the transmitted light are evaluated for continuous-wave squeezed states incident on both sides of the slab. The degree of second-order coherence is instead evaluated for an N-photon incident pulse, and the effects of transmission through the slab on its antibunching are calculated. [S1050-2947(99)06701-3]

Thermal breakdown of coherent backscattering: a case study of quantum duality

We investigate coherent backscattering of light by two harmonically trapped atoms in the light of quantitative quantum duality. Including recoil and Doppler shift close to an optical resonance, we calculate the interference visibility as well as the amount of which-path information, both for zero and finite temperature.Comment: published version with minor changes and an added figur