Continuous-variable Quantum States Research Articles

Non-negative Wigner functions for orbital angular momentum states

The Wigner function of a pure continuous-variable quantum state is non-negative if and only if the state is Gaussian. Here we show that for the canonical pair angle and angular momentum, the only pure states with non-negative Wigner functions are the eigenstates of the angular momentum. Some implications of this surprising result are discussed.

Low-Noise Amplification of a Continuous-Variable Quantum State

We present an experimental realization of a low-noise, phase-insensitive optical amplifier using a four-wave mixing interaction in hot Rb vapor. Performance near the quantum limit for a range of amplifier gains, including near unity, can be achieved. Such low-noise amplifiers are essential for so-called quantum cloning machines and are useful in quantum information protocols. We demonstrate that amplification and "cloning" of one half of a two-mode squeezed state is possible while preserving entanglement.

Manipulating the quantum information of the radial modes of trapped ions: linear phononics, entanglement generation, quantum state transmission and non-locality tests

We present a detailed study on the possibility of manipulating quantum information encoded in the ‘radial’ modes of arrays of trapped ions (i.e. in the ions' oscillations orthogonal to the trap's main axis). In such systems, because of the tightness of transverse confinement, the radial modes pertaining to different ions can be addressed individually. In the first part of the paper we show that, if local control of the radial trapping frequencies is available, any linear optical and squeezing operation on the locally defined modes—on single as well as on many modes—can be reproduced by manipulating the frequencies. Then, we proceed to describe schemes apt to generate unprecedented degrees of bipartite and multipartite continuous variable (CV) entanglement under realistic noisy working conditions and even restricting only to a global control of the trapping frequencies. Furthermore, we consider the transmission of the quantum information encoded in the radial modes along the array of ions, and show it to be possible to a remarkable degree of accuracy, for both finite-dimensional and CV quantum states. Finally, as an application, we show that the states which can be generated in this setting allow for the violation of multipartite non-locality tests, by feasible displaced parity measurements. Such a demonstration would be a first test of quantum non-locality for ‘massive’ degrees of freedom (i.e. for degrees of freedom describing the motion of massive particles).

Perfect Mirror Transport Protocol with Higher Dimensional Quantum Chains

A globally controlled scheme for quantum transport is proposed. The scheme works on a 1D chain of nearest neighbor coupled systems of qudits (finite dimension), or qunats (continuous variable), taking any arbitrary initial quantum state of the chain and producing a final quantum state, which is perfectly spatially mirrored about the midpoint of the chain. As a particular novel application, the method can be used to transport continuous variable quantum states. A physical realization is proposed where it is shown how the quantum states of the microwave fields held in a chain of driven superconducting coplanar waveguides can experience quantum mirror transport when coupled by switchable Cooper pair boxes.

On exchangeable continuous variable systems

We investigate permutation-invariant continuous variable quantum states and their covariance matrices. We provide a complete characterization of the latter with respect to permutation invariance and exchangeability and representing convex combinations of tensor power states. On the level of the respective density operators this leads to necessary criteria for all these properties which become necessary and sufficient for Gaussian states. For these we use the derived results to provide de Finetti-type theorems for various distance measures.

Frequency conversion of continuous variable quantum states

The frequency conversion of cw continuous variable quantum states via second-order nonlinear optical processes is theoretically analyzed. It is shown that wideband frequency conversion of cw continuous variable quantum states is feasible by sum-frequency generation. For difference-frequency generation, besides as an optimal-phase-conjugation frequency-conversion process, any one quadrature of the quantum state can be frequency converted through it. Particularly, we analyze the influence of pump field fluctuations on the fidelity of the frequency-conversion process for a coherent state input.

Nonclassicality and entanglement: observable conditions

A unified characterization of continuous-variable quantum states is presented that gives general insight in their nonclassical features and, in particular, in their entanglement properties. Nonclassicality is characterized in terms of observable characteristic functions. Equivalently, the nonclassicality conditions are reformulated in terms of moments. The latter approach turns out to be a powerful tool for deriving a complete set of entanglement conditions for bipartite quantum systems, which are fully equivalent to the nonpositivity of the partially transposed density operator. The possibilities of observing the needed moments by balanced homodyne correlation measurements are analyzed.

Non-negative Wigner functions in prime dimensions

According to a classical result due to Hudson, the Wigner function of a pure, continuous-variable quantum state is non-negative if and only if the state is Gaussian. We have proven an analogous statement for finite-dimensional quantum systems. In this context, the role of Gaussian states is taken on by stabilizer states. The general results have been published in [1]. For the case of systems of odd prime dimension, a different, greatly simplified method of proof can be employed which still exhibits the main ideas. The present paper gives a self-contained account of these methods.

TELEPORTATION OF ANY FORM OF SINGLE-MODE QUANTUM STATES

By using the two-mode Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen (EPR) pair eigenstates or the two-mode squeezed vacuum as quantum channel we study the quantum teleportation of any form of single-mode quantum states (which include discrete and continuous variable quantum states). The elegant properties of the EPR pair eigenstates bring much convenience to our discussion.

Continuous-Variable Quantum State Transfer with Partially Disembodied Transport

We propose a new protocol of implementing continuous-variable quantum state transfer using partially disembodied transport. This protocol may improve the fidelity at the expense of the introduction of a semiquantum channel between the parties, in comparison with quantum teleportation using the same strength of entanglement. Depending on the amount of information destroyed in the measurement, this protocol may be regarded as a teleportation protocol (complete destruction of input state), or as a cloning protocol (partial destruction), or as a direct transmission (no destruction). This scheme can be straightforwardly implemented with a setup that is at present experimentally accessible.

Conditioning two-party quantum teleportation within a three-party quantum channel

We consider an arbitrary continuous-variable three-party Gaussian quantum state which is used to perform quantum teleportation of a pure Gaussian state between two of the parties (Alice and Bob). In turn, the third party (Charlie) can condition the process by means of local operations and classical communication. We find the best measurement that Charlie can implement on his own mode that preserves the Gaussian character of the three-mode state and optimizes the teleportation fidelity between Alice and Bob.

Teleportation of Any Form of Two-Mode Quantum States

By using two two-mode Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen (EPR) pair eigenstates or two two-mode squeezed states as quantum channels we study the quantum teleportation of any form of two-mode quantum states, which conclude discrete and continuous variable quantum states.

Entanglement concentration of continuous-variable quantum states

We propose two probabilistic entanglement concentration schemes for a single copy of a two-mode squeezed vacuum state. The first scheme is based on the off-resonant interaction of a Rydberg atom with the cavity field while the second setup involves the cross Kerr interaction, an auxiliary mode prepared in a strong coherent state, and homodyne detection. We show that the continuous-variable entanglement concentration allows us to improve the fidelity of teleportation of coherent states.

Physical implementation for entanglement purification of Gaussian continuous-variable quantum states

We give a detailed description of the entanglement purification protocol which generates maximally entangled states with high efficiencies from realistic Gaussian continuous variable entangled states. The physical implementation of this protocol is extensively analyzed using high finesse cavities and cavity enhanced cross Kerr nonlinearities. In particular, we take into account many imperfections in the experimental scheme and calculate their influences. Quantitative requirements are given for the relevant experimental parameters.

Entanglement purification of gaussian continuous variable quantum states

We describe an entanglement purification protocol to generate maximally entangled states with high efficiencies from two-mode squeezed states or from mixed Gaussian continuous entangled states. The protocol relies on a local quantum nondemolition measurement of the total excitation number of several continuous variable entangled pairs. We propose an optical scheme to do this kind of measurement using cavity enhanced cross-Kerr interactions.