Description

This module explores how light may be controlled and guided at the level of few photons. It describes how quantum physics may be harnessed in the future to offer new and exciting opportunities in manipulating light, including quantum computing and communication. This module will range over basic physics, mathematical formulation of quantum theory, and topical applications.

Module Aims

This module aims to develop a detailed understanding of the physics that underpins quantum optics and photonics, and learn the underlying mathematical language. It will explores solutions to problems from topics at the forefront of current optics research, such as the production and manipulation of light in non-classical states.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

A student who has passed this module should be able to:

• Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:
  1. describe the fundamental properties of liqht;
  2. describe how sources produce light in special (e.g. coherent and single-photon) states;
  3. explain the operation and applications of a range of photonic devices and systems;
  4. solve problems involving the interaction of light with matter by applying quantum electrodynamics (QED);
  5. explain nonlinear optical response and calculate some of its classical and quantum effects;
  6. explain quantum teleportation and describe its significance for communicating information about quantum states.
• Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:
  7. solve mathematical problems;
  8. apply electrodynamics and quantum mechanics to devices, structures and systems.
• Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:
  9. develop self-study skills;
  10. solve problems.

Syllabus Plan

1. Quantum Mechanics
   Dirac notation. Quantum evolution. Schrödinger, Heisenberg and interaction pictures. Composite systems and entanglement.
2. Quantisation of the Electromagnetic Field
   Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic waves and their relation to harmonic oscillators. Quantum electromagnetic waves. Fock states. Electromagnetic zero-point energy.
3. Single-Mode Quantum Light
   Field and quadrature operators. Optical microcavities and experimental setups.
4. Single-Mode Number States
   Uncertainty relations. Signal-to-noise ratio.
5. Single-Mode Coherent States and Their Relation to Classical Light
   Photon number distribution and non-classical light detection. Electric field uncertainty. Displacement operator.
6. Thermal Radiation and Fluctuations in Photon Number
   Planck distribution. Statistical classification of optical states.
7. Single-Photon Interference
   Beam splitters. The Mach-Zehnder interferometer.
8. Two-Photon Interference and the Hong-Ou-Mandel Effect
9. Light-Atom Interactions
   Electric-dipole approximation. Perturbation theory. Absorption, stimulated and spontaneous emission. Theory of lasing.
10. Cavity Quantum Electrodynamics
    Rabi model. Jaynes-Cummings model. Dicke model. Master equation.
11. Coherence Functions
    First-order coherence. Second-order coherence. Anti-bunching and single photon emission: theory and experiments.
12. Nonlinear Optics and Non-Classical Light
    Non-linear polarization. Parametric down-conversion. Squeezed states of light. Kerr-type nonlinearity.
13. Quantum Teleportation
    The no-cloning theorem. Entangled photon pairs and Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen states. Quantum communication protocols. Teleportation.
14. Introduction to Quantum Computing
    Qubits and quantum platforms. Quantum gates. Superdense coding. Quantum algorithms for computation. Phase kick-back and Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm.

Learning and Teaching

Learning Activities and Teaching Methods

Assessment

Resources

The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of information that students are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Instructor(s).

Core text:

• Not applicable

Supplementary texts:

• Gerry C.C. and Knight P.L. (2004), Introductory Quantum Optics, Cambridge University Press, ISBN 978-0-521-52735-4
• Loudon R. (2000), The Quantum Theory of Light (3^rd edition), Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0198501763
• Pedrotti F.L. and Pedrotti F.J.L.S. (2007), Introduction to Optics (3^rd edition), Pearson Prentice-Hall, ISBN 978-0-131-97133-2

ELE:

• http://newton.ex.ac.uk/redirects/ELE/phym015

Further Information

Prior Knowledge Requirements

Re-assessment

Re-assessment is not available except when required by referral or deferral.

Notes: See Physics Assessment Conventions.

KIS Data Summary

Miscellaneous