R. Loudon, ‘The quantum theory of light’, Oxford University Press.
C.C. Gerry, P.L. Knight, ‘Introductory Quantum Optics’, Cambridge University Press.
Learning Objectives
Knowledge acquired: Basic knowledge of the quantum theory of low-energy electromagnetic fields, and of experiments investigating quantum properties of radiation.
Competence acquired: General understanding of some aspects of modern quantum optics.
Skills acquired (at the end of the course):
Ability in employing the main formalisms used in quantum optics calculations. Design and analysis of quantum optics experiments.
Teaching Methods
Total hours of the course (including the time spent in attending lectures, seminars, private study, examinations, etc...):
150
Hours reserved to private study and other individual formative activities:
Contact hours for: Lectures (hours): 50
Further information
Office hours:
Teacher can be contacted every day by appointment
Type of Assessment
Oral examination
Course program
Properties of classical light (coherent and chaotic): correlations, moments, power spectrum. Fokker-Planck equation. Interferometric measurements and statistics. Langevin equations. Amplitude and frequency noise spectra and lineshape of laser radiation. Quantization of the electromagnetic field. Quantum coherence and uncertainty relations. Quantum states of light: Fock states, coherent state, squeezed vacuum, bright squeezed state, thermal light. Indicators of non-classical light. Beam splitter and homodyne detection. Hong-Ou-Mandel experiment. Quasi-probability distributions and Wigner function. Separable and entangled states. EPR argument: non-locality and realism. Bell inequality. Applications: quantum cryptography, quantum computing. Non-demolition measurements. Continuous variables and semi-classical approximation. Optical cavity. Radiation pressure and pondero-motive effects. Standard quantum limit.