Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Dedication
- Preface
- 1 Quantum theory of radiation
- 2 Coherent and squeezed states of the radiation field
- 3 Quantum distribution theory and partially coherent radiation
- 4 Field–field and photon–photon interferometry
- 5 Atom–field interaction – semiclassical theory
- 6 Atom–field interaction – quantum theory
- 7 Lasing without inversion and other effects of atomic coherence and interference
- 8 Quantum theory of damping – density operator and wave function approach
- 9 Quantum theory of damping – Heisenberg–Langevin approach
- 10 Resonance fluorescence
- 11 Quantum theory of the laser – density operator approach
- 12 Quantum theory of the laser – Heisenberg–Langevin approach
- 13 Theory of the micromaser
- 14 Correlated emission laser: concept, theory, and analysis
- 15 Phase sensitivity in quantum optical systems: applications
- 16 Squeezing via nonlinear optical processes
- 17 Atom optics
- 18 The EPR paradox, hidden variables, and Bell's theorem
- 19 Quantum nondemolition measurements
- 20 Quantum optical tests of complementarity
- 21 Two-photon interferometry, the quantum measurement problem, and more
- Index
4 - Field–field and photon–photon interferometry
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 June 2012
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Dedication
- Preface
- 1 Quantum theory of radiation
- 2 Coherent and squeezed states of the radiation field
- 3 Quantum distribution theory and partially coherent radiation
- 4 Field–field and photon–photon interferometry
- 5 Atom–field interaction – semiclassical theory
- 6 Atom–field interaction – quantum theory
- 7 Lasing without inversion and other effects of atomic coherence and interference
- 8 Quantum theory of damping – density operator and wave function approach
- 9 Quantum theory of damping – Heisenberg–Langevin approach
- 10 Resonance fluorescence
- 11 Quantum theory of the laser – density operator approach
- 12 Quantum theory of the laser – Heisenberg–Langevin approach
- 13 Theory of the micromaser
- 14 Correlated emission laser: concept, theory, and analysis
- 15 Phase sensitivity in quantum optical systems: applications
- 16 Squeezing via nonlinear optical processes
- 17 Atom optics
- 18 The EPR paradox, hidden variables, and Bell's theorem
- 19 Quantum nondemolition measurements
- 20 Quantum optical tests of complementarity
- 21 Two-photon interferometry, the quantum measurement problem, and more
- Index
Summary
Optical interferometry was at the heart of the revolution which ushered in the new era of twentieth century physics. For example, the Michelson interferometer was used to show that there is no detectable motion relative to the ‘ether’; a key experiment in support of special relativity.
It is a wonderful tribute to Michelson that the same interferometer concept is central to the gravity-wave detectors which promise to provide new insights into general relativity and astrophysics in the twenty-first century. Similar tales can be told about the Sagnac and Mach–Zehnder interferometers as discussed in this chapter. We further note that the intensity correlation stellar interferometer of Hanbury- Brown and Twiss was a driving force in ushering in the modern era of quantum optics.
We are thus motivated to develop the theory of field (amplitude) and photon (intensity) correlation interferometry. In doing so we will find that the subject provides us with an exquisite probe of the micro and macrocosmos, i.e., quantum mechanics and general relativity.
With these thoughts in mind we here develop a framework to study the quantum statistical correlations of light. We will motivate the quantum correlation functions of the field operators from the standpoint of photodetection theory. Many experimentally observed quantities, such as photoelectron statistics and the spectral distribution of the field, can be related to the appropriate field correlation functions. These correlation functions are essential in the description of Young's double-slit experiment and the notion of the power spectrum of light.
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- Chapter
- Information
- Quantum Optics , pp. 97 - 144Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 1997
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