Homodyne Measurement Research Articles

Direct conversion of Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger state to Knill-Laflamme-Milburn state in decoherence-free subspace.

Several schemes are proposed to realize the conversion of photonic polarized-entangled Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger state to Knill-Laflamme-Milburn state in decoherence-free subspace (DFS) via weak cross-Kerr nonlinearity and X-quadrature homodyne measurement with high fidelity. DFS is introduced to decrease the decoherence effect caused by the coupling between the system and the environment. Optimizations to improve the success rate and utilization of residual states are further investigated. This study indicates important applications for quantum information processing in the future.

Quantum error correction with higher Gottesman-Kitaev-Preskill codes: Minimal measurements and linear optics

We propose two schemes to obtain Gottesman-Kitaev-Preskill (GKP) error syndromes by means of linear optical operations, homodyne measurements and GKP ancillae. This includes showing that for a concatenation of GKP codes with a $[n,k,d]$ stabilizer code only $2n$ measurements are needed in order to obtain the complete syndrome information, significantly reducing the number of measurements in comparison to the canonical concatenated measurement scheme and at the same time generalizing linear-optics-based syndrome detections to higher GKP codes. Furthermore, we analyze the possibility of building the required ancilla states from single-mode states and linear optics. We find that for simple GKP codes this is possible, whereas for concatenations with qubit Calderbank-Shor-Steane (CSS) codes of distance $d\geq3$ it is not. We also consider the canonical concatenated syndrome measurements and propose methods for avoiding crosstalk between ancillae. In addition, we make use of the observation that the concatenation of a GKP code with a stabilizer code forms a lattice in order to see the analog information decoding of such codes from a different perspective allowing for semi-analytic calculations of the logical error rates.

Estimation of the Wigner distribution of single-mode Gaussian states: A comparative study

In this work, we consider the estimation of single mode Gaussian states using four different measurement schemes namely: i) homodyne measurement, ii) sequential measurement, iii) Arthurs-Kelly scheme, and iv) heterodyne measurement, with a view to compare their relative performance. To that end, we work in the phase space formalism, specifically at the covariance matrix level, which provides an elegant and intuitive way to explicitly carry out involved calculations. We show that the optimal performance of the Arthurs-Kelly scheme and the sequential measurement is equal to the heterodyne measurement. While the heterodyne measurement outperforms the homodyne measurement in the mean estimation of squeezed state ensemble, the homodyne measurement outperforms the heterodyne measurement for variance estimation of squeezed state ensemble up to a certain range of squeezing parameter. We then modify the Hamiltonian in the Arthurs-Kelly scheme, such that the two meters can have correlations and show that the optimal performance is achieved when the meters are uncorrelated. We expect that the results will be useful in analyzing various quantum information and quantum communication protocols.

Homodyne detection in quantum optics: deterministic extractors and quantum random number generators on ‘vacuum fluctuations’

Quantum random number generators with a continuous variable are considered based on a primary randomness of the outcomes of homodyne measurements of a coherent state. A deterministic method of extraction of truly random 0 and 1 from the primary sequence of measurements of the quadrature of the field in homodyne detection is considered. The method, in the case of independence of successive measurement outcomes, in the asymptotic limit of long sequences, allows us to extract with a polynomial complexity all the true randomness contained in the primary sequence. The method does not require knowledge of the probability distribution function of the primary random sequence, and also does not require additional randomness in the extraction of random 0 and 1. The approach with deterministic randomness extractors, unlike other methods, contains fewer assumptions and conditions that need to be satisfied in the experimental implementation of such generators, and is significantly more effective and simple in experimental implementation. The fundamental limitations dictated by nature for achieving statistical independence of successive measurement outcomes are also considered. The statistical independence of the measurement outcomes is the equivalent of true randomness, in the sense that is possible in the case of the independence of the measurement outcomes, provably, with deterministic extractor, to extract a ‘truly random sequence of 0 and 1’. It is shown that in the asymptotic limit it is possible to extract all the true randomness contained in the outcomes of physical measurements.

Estimation with Heisenberg-Scaling Sensitivity of a Single Parameter Distributed in an Arbitrary Linear Optical Network.

Quantum sensing and quantum metrology propose schemes for the estimation of physical properties, such as lengths, time intervals, and temperatures, achieving enhanced levels of precision beyond the possibilities of classical strategies. However, such an enhanced sensitivity usually comes at a price: the use of probes in highly fragile states, the need to adaptively optimise the estimation schemes to the value of the unknown property we want to estimate, and the limited working range, are some examples of challenges which prevent quantum sensing protocols to be practical for applications. This work reviews two feasible estimation schemes which address these challenges, employing easily realisable resources, i.e., squeezed light, and achieve the desired quantum enhancement of the precision, namely the Heisenberg-scaling sensitivity. In more detail, it is here shown how to overcome, in the estimation of any parameter affecting in a distributed manner multiple components of an arbitrary M-channel linear optical network, the need to iteratively optimise the network. In particular, we show that this is possible with a single-step adaptation of the network based only on a prior knowledge of the parameter achievable through a “classical” shot-noise limited estimation strategy. Furthermore, homodyne measurements with only one detector allow us to achieve Heisenberg-limited estimation of the parameter. We further demonstrate that one can avoid the use of any auxiliary network at the price of simultaneously employing multiple detectors.

Wave–particle complementarity: detecting violation of local realism with photon-number resolving weak-field homodyne measurements

Nowadays photon-number resolving weak-field homodyne measurements allow realization of emblematic gedankenexperiments revealing correlations of optical fields. This covers experiments on (a) excitation of a pair of spatial modes by a single photon, and (b) two spatial modes in a weakly squeezed vacuum state, involving constant local oscillator strengths. Proving Bell nonclassicality of such correlations demands measurements of complementary observables. We show that typical arrangement of weak-field homodyne detection with measurement settings defined by phases of local oscillators of constant strength does not provide enough complementarity for confirming Bell nonclassicality. In the case of experiment (a) we provide an exact local hidden variable model restoring all quantum probabilities, whereas in the case of experiment (b) we show that the claims of its nonclassicality are unfounded. A full complementarity of wave aspects vs particle (number) can be achieved in a measurement situation in which respectively the local oscillators are on or off. This is shown to lead to an operational scenario, in the case of both experiments (a) and (b), which reveals indisputable violations of local realism. Such schemes may find possible applications in device-independent quantum protocols.

Master equations and quantum trajectories for squeezed wave packets

The interaction between matter and squeezed light has mostly been treated within the approximation that the field correlation time is small. Methods for treating squeezed light with more general correlations currently involve explicitly modeling the systems producing the light. We develop a general purpose input-output theory for a particular form of narrowband squeezed light -- a squeezed wave-packet mode -- that only cares about the statistics of the squeezed field and the shape of the wave packet. This formalism allows us to derive the input-output relations and the master equation. We also consider detecting the scattered field using photon counting and homodyne measurements which necessitates the derivation of the stochastic master equation. The non Markovian nature of the field manifests itself in the master equation as a coupled hierarchy of equations. We illustrate these with consequences for the decay and resonance fluorescence of two-level atoms in the presence of such fields.

Shot-noise limited homodyne detection for MHz quantum light characterisation in the 2 µm band.

Characterising quantum states of light in the 2 µm band requires high-performance shot-noise limited detectors. Here, we present the characterisation of a homodyne detector that we use to observe vacuum shot-noise via homodyne measurement with a 2.07 µm pulsed mode-locked laser. The device is designed primarily for pulsed illumination. It has a 3-dB bandwidth of 13.2 MHz, total conversion efficiency of 57% at 2.07 µm, and a common-mode rejection ratio of 48 dB at 39.5 MHz. The detector begins to saturate at 1.8 mW with 9 dB of shot-noise clearance at 5 MHz. This demonstration enables the characterisation of megahertz-quantum optical behaviour in the 2 µm band and provides a guide of how to design a 2 µm homodyne detector for quantum applications.

Teleportation-based noiseless quantum amplification of coherent states of light.

We propose and theoretically analyze a teleportation-based scheme for the high-fidelity noiseless quantum amplification of coherent states of light. In our approach, the probabilistic noiseless quantum amplification operation is encoded into a suitable auxiliary two-mode entangled state and then applied to the input coherent state via continuous-variable quantum teleportation. The scheme requires conditioning on the outcomes of homodyne measurements in the teleportation protocol. In contrast to high-fidelity noiseless quantum amplifiers based on combination of conditional single-photon addition and subtraction, the present scheme requires only photon subtraction in combination with auxiliary Gaussian squeezed vacuum states. We first provide a pure-state description of the protocol which allows us to to clearly explain its principles and functioning. Next we develop a more comprehensive model based on phase-space representation of quantum states, that accounts for various experimental imperfections such as excess noise in the auxiliary squeezed states or limited efficiency of the single-photon detectors that can only distinguish the presence or absence of photons. We present and analyze predictions of this phase-space model of the noiseless teleamplifier.

Non-adaptive Heisenberg-limited metrology with multi-channel homodyne measurements

We show a protocol achieving the ultimate Heisenberg-scaling sensitivity in the estimation of a parameter encoded in a generic linear network, without employing any auxiliary networks, and without the need of any prior information on the parameter nor on the network structure. As a result, this protocol does not require a prior coarse estimation of the parameter, nor an adaptation of the network. The scheme we analyse consists of a single-mode squeezed state and homodyne detectors in each of the M output channels of the network encoding the parameter, making it feasible for experimental applications.

Accurate Parity Meter Based on Coherent State Measurement

AbstractParity meter is the core step of many quantum information works. In this paper, a robust and accurate protocol to construct a parity meter of two artificial atoms coupled to a cavity is proposed. Specifically, when the atomic system is in states with different parities, the cavity will evolve into different states. Then, the parity information of the atomic system can be distinguished by measuring the state of the cavity via the homodyne measurement. In addition, the influence of decoherence (including the cavity decay, the atomic spontaneous emission, and the dephasing) and systematic errors are numerically discussed. The results show that the protocol is robust against these negative factors. Therefore, this protocol may provide helpful perspectives for accurate parity meters.

Nonlinear phase measurement using a coherent state in noisy environments

Nonlinear phase measurement plays an important role in many dynamic processes. In this paper, we propose a single-mode measurement scheme for second-order nonlinear phase shifts that utilizes coherent states and homodyne measurement. The sensitivity at operating point φ = 0 is 1 / 4 N 3 / 2 with N photons on average and approaches the quantum Cramér–Rao bound. In addition, sensitivity with a small value of φ is discussed. For practical purposes, we analyze the effects of photon losses, thermal photon noise, and phase diffusion on sensitivities with φ = 0 as well as a small value of φ . The sensitivity still scales as 1 / N 3 / 2 in the presence of photon losses and thermal photon noise but degrades to the scaling of 1 / N with phase diffusion.

Verifying single-mode nonclassicality beyond negativity in phase space

While negativity in phase space is a well-known signature of nonclassicality, a wide variety of nonclassical states require their characterization beyond negativity. We establish a framework of nonclassicality in phase space that addresses nonclassical states comprehensively with a direct experimental evidence. This includes the negativity of phase-space distribution as a special case and further analyzes quantum states with positive distributions effectively. We prove that it detects all nonclassical Gaussian states and all non-Gaussian states of arbitrary dimension remarkably by examining three phase-space points only. Our formalism also provides an experimentally accessible lower bound for a nonclassicality measure based on trace distance. Importantly, this foundational approach can be further adapted to constitute practical tests in two directions looking into particle and wave nature of bosonic systems, via an array of nonideal on-off detectors and coarse-grained homodyne measurement, respectively. All these tests are practically powerful in characterizing nonclasssical states reliably against noise, making a versatile tool for a broad range of quantum systems in quantum technologies.

Chaotic time-delay signature suppression using quantum noise.

The time-delay signature (TDS) suppression of semiconductor lasers with external optical feedback is necessary to ensure the security of chaos-based secure communications. Here we numerically and experimentally demonstrate a technique to effectively suppress the TDS of chaotic lasers using quantum noise. The TDS and dynamical complexity are quantified using the autocorrelation function and normalized permutation entropy at the feedback delay time, respectively. Quantum noise from quadrature fluctuations of the vacuum state is prepared through balanced homodyne measurement. The effects of strength and bandwidth of quantum noise on chaotic TDS suppression and complexity enhancement are investigated numerically and experimentally. Compared to the original dynamics, the TDS of this quantum noise improved chaos is suppressed up to 94%, and the bandwidth suppression ratio of quantum noise to chaotic laser is 1:25. The experiment agrees well with the theory. The improved chaotic laser is potentially beneficial to chaos-based random number generation and secure communication.

Entanglement of a pair of quantum emitters via continuous fluorescence measurements: a tutorial

We discuss recent developments in measurement protocols that generate quantum entanglement between two remote qubits, focusing on the theory of joint continuous detection of their spontaneous emission. We consider a device geometry similar to that used in well-known Bell state measurements, which we analyze using a conceptually transparent model of stochastic quantum trajectories; we use this to review photodetection, the most straightforward case, and then generalize to the diffusive trajectories from homodyne and heterodyne detection as well. Such quadrature measurement schemes are a realistic two-qubit extension of existing circuit QED experiments, which obtain quantum trajectories by homodyning or heterodyning a superconducting qubit’s spontaneous emission, or an adaptation of existing optical measurement schemes to obtain jump trajectories from emitters. We mention key results, presented from within a single theoretical framework, and draw connections to concepts in the wider literature on entanglement generation by measurement (such as path information erasure and entanglement swapping). The photon which-path information acquisition, and therefore the two-qubit entanglement yield, is tunable under the homodyne detection scheme we discuss, at best generating equivalent average entanglement dynamics as in the comparable photodetection case. In addition to deriving this known equivalence, we extend past analyses in our characterization of the measurement dynamics: we include derivations of bounds on the fastest possible evolution toward a Bell state under joint homodyne measurement dynamics and characterize the maximal entanglement yield possible using inefficient (lossy) measurements.

Characterization of a Quantum Random Number Generator Based on Vacuum Fluctuations

Quantum random number generators (QRNGs) are currently in high demand across a large number of cryptographic applications as secure sources of true randomness. In this work, we characterize the conditions from which randomness can be extracted in a QRNG based on homodyne measurements of vacuum fluctuations by assessing the impact of experimental limitations, such as the digitizer resolution or the presence of excess local oscillator (LO) noise due to an unbalanced detection. Moreover, we propose an estimation method to quantify the excess entropy contribution introduced by an unbalanced detection and analyze the implementation of the post-processing algorithm. Finally, we submitted the generated numbers to a set of statistical tests to assess the quality of its output randomness and verified that it passes the standard libraries.

Work Generation from Thermal Noise by Quantum Phase-Sensitive Observation.

We put forward the concept of work extraction from thermal noise by phase-sensitive (homodyne) measurements of the noisy input followed by (outcome-dependent) unitary manipulations of the postmeasured state. For optimized measurements, noise input with more than one quantum on average is shown to yield heat-to-work conversion with efficiency and power that grow with the mean number of input quanta, the efficiency and the inverse temperature of the detector. This protocol is shown to be advantageous compared to common models of information and heat engines.

Charging a quantum battery with linear feedback control

Energy storage is a basic physical process with many applications. When considering this task at the quantum scale, it becomes important to optimise the non-equilibrium dynamics of energy transfer to the storage device or battery. Here, we tackle this problem using the methods of quantum feedback control. Specifically, we study the deposition of energy into a quantum battery via an auxiliary charger. The latter is a driven-dissipative two-level system subjected to a homodyne measurement whose output signal is fed back linearly into the driving field amplitude. We explore two different control strategies, aiming to stabilise either populations or quantum coherences in the state of the charger. In both cases, linear feedback is shown to counteract the randomising influence of environmental noise and allow for stable and effective battery charging. We analyse the effect of realistic control imprecisions, demonstrating that this good performance survives inefficient measurements and small feedback delays. Our results highlight the potential of continuous feedback for the control of energetic quantities in the quantum regime.

Can single photon excitation of two spatially separated modes lead to a violation of Bell inequality via weak-field homodyne measurements?

We reconsider the all-optical weak homodyne-measurement based experimental schemes aimed at revealing Bell nonclassicality (‘nonlocality’) of a single photon. We focus on the schemes put forward by Tan et al (TWC, 1991) and Hardy (1994). In our previous work we show that the TWC experiment can be described by a local hidden variable model, hence the claimed nonclassicality is apparent. The nonclassicality proof proposed by Hardy remains impeccable. We investigate which feature of the Hardy’s approach is crucial to disclose the nonclassicality. There are consequential differences between TWC and Hardy setups: (i) the initial state of Hardy is a superposition of a single photon excitation with vacuum in one of the input modes of a 50–50 beamsplitter. In the TWC case there is no vacuum component. (ii) In the final measurements of Hardy’s proposal the local settings are specified by the presence or absence of a local oscillator field (on/off). In the TWC case the auxiliary fields are constant, only phases are varied. We show that in Hardy’s setup the violation of local realism occurs due to the varying strength of the local oscillators. Still, one does not need to operate in the fully on/off detection scheme. Thus, the nonclassicality in a Hardy-like setup cannot be attributed to the single-photon state alone. It is a consequence of its interference with the photons from auxiliary local fields. Neither can it be attributed to the joint state of the single photon excitation and the local oscillator modes, as this state is measurement setting dependent. Despite giving spurious violations of local realism, the TWC scheme can serve as an entanglement indicator, for the TWC state. Nevertheless an analogue indicator based on intensity rates rather than just intensities overperforms it.

Versatile Super-Sensitive Metrology Using Induced Coherence

We theoretically analyze the phase sensitivity of the Induced-Coherence (Mandel-Type) Interferometer, including the case where the sensitivity is "boosted" into the bright input regime with coherent-light seeding. We find scaling which reaches below the shot noise limit, even when seeding the spatial mode which does not interact with the sample – or when seeding the undetected mode. It is a hybrid of a linear and a non-linear (Yurke-Type) interferometer, and aside from the supersensitivity, is distinguished from other systems by "preferring" an imbalance in the gains of the two non-linearities (with the second gain being optimal at low values), and non-monotonic behavior of the sensitivity as a function of the gain of the second non-linearity. Furthermore, the setup allows use of subtracted intensity measurements, instead of direct (additive) or homodyne measurements – a significant practical advantage. Bright, super-sensitive phase estimation of an object with different light fields for interaction and detection is possible, with various potential applications, especially in cases where the sample may be sensitive to light, or is most interesting in frequency domains outside what is easily detected, or when desiring bright-light phase estimation with sensitive/delicate detectors. We use an analysis in terms of general squeezing and discover that super-sensitivity occurs only in this case – that is, the effect is not present with the spontaneous-parametric-down-conversion approximation, which many previous analyses and experiments have focused on.