Quantum Noise Measurements Research Articles

Quantum Noise Secured Terahertz Communications

The terahertz communications display an important role in high-speed wireless communications, the security threat from the eavesdroppers in the terahertz communications has been gaining attention recently. The true randomness in the physical layer can ensure one-time-pad encryption for secured terahertz communications, however, physical layer security schemes like the quantum key distribution methods suffer from device imperfections that limit the desirable signal rate and link distance. Herein, we present the quantum noise secured terahertz wireless communications with photonic terahertz signal generation schemes. With the high-order diffusion algorithms, the signal is masked by the quantum noise ciphers to the eavesdroppers and cannot be detected because the inevitable randomness by quantum noise measurement will cause physical measurement errors. In the experiment, we demonstrate 16 Gbits <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">-1</sup> quantum noise secured terahertz wireless communications with the conventional optical communication realms and devices, operating at 300 GHz terahertz frequency. This quantum noise secured terahertz communication approach is a significant step toward high-security wireless communications.

Low Noise Balanced Homodyne Detector for Quantum Noise Measurement

The research of quantum noise in the interaction of laser and atoms plays a critical role in quantum optical experiments. The measurement of quantum noise is mainly based on the balanced homodyne detection method. Here, we reported a balanced homodyne detector with low noise, high gain, and high common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR) at the wavelength of 795 nm. By optimizing the selection of components and printed circuit board (PCB) layout, a minimum electronic noise of &#x2212;96.7 dBm is obtained. Over the range of 1 MHz to 5 MHz, we get a flat CMRR above 59 dB and a linear gain regime, which can enable a shot noise measurement with the laser power of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$100~\mu \text{w}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. The developed detector can be used in quantum coherent experiments with a weak probe laser of power down to tens of microwatts.

Erratum: Higher-order moments, cumulants, and spectra of continuous quantum noise measurements [Phys. Rev. B 98 , 205143 (2018)

Received 26 August 2020DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.102.119901©2020 American Physical SocietyPhysics Subject Headings (PhySH)Research AreasQuantum fluctuations & noiseQuantum measurementsTechniquesSpin noise spectroscopyQuantum Information

Quantum Noise in Carbon Nanotubes as a Probe of Correlations in the Kondo Regime

Most of the time, electronic excitations in mesoscopic conductors are well described, around equilibrium, by non-interacting Landau quasi-particles. This allows a good understanding of the transport properties in the linear regime. However, the role of interaction in the non-equilibrium properties beyond this regime has still to be established. A paradigmatic example is the Kondo many body state, which can be realized in a carbon nanotube (CNT) quantum dot for temperatures below the Kondo temperature $T_K$. As CNT possess spin and orbital quantum numbers, it is possible to investigate the twofold degenerate SU(2) Kondo effect as well as the four fold degenerate SU(4) state by tuning the degeneracies and filling factor. This article aims at providing a comprehensive review on our recent works on the Kondo correlations probed by quantum noise measurement both at low and high frequencies and demonstrate how current noise measurements yield new insight on interaction effects and dynamics of a Kondo correlated state.

Higher-order moments, cumulants, and spectra of continuous quantum noise measurements

We present general quantum mechanical expressions for higher order moments, cumulants, and spectra of continuously measured quantum systems with applications in spin noise spectroscopy, quantum transport, and measurement theory in general. Starting from the so-called stochastic master equation of continuous measurement theory, we find that the leading orders of the fluctuating detector output $z(t)$ with respect to the measurement strength $\beta$ are a white shot noise background, a constant measurement offset, and the leading order quantum noise of the measured operator $A$. Starting from quantum expressions for the multi-time moments $\langle z(t_n)\cdots z(t_1) \rangle$ we derive three- and four-time cumulants that are valid in all orders of $\beta$ covering the full regime between the weak and strong measurement limit (Zeno-limit). Intriguingly, quantum expressions for the cumulants were found that exhibit the same simple structure as those for the moments after introduction of only a slightly modified system propagator. Very compact expressions for the cumulant-based third and fourth order spectra (bispectrum and trispectrum) follow naturally. We illustrate the usefulness of higher order spectra by treating a real world two-spin system with strong hyperfine interaction.Moreover, spin noise spectroscopy is shown to have the potential for investigating the transition from weak measurements to the famous quantum Zeno regime for realistic probe laser intensities.

Analyzing the Gaussian character of the spectral quantum state of light via quantum noise measurements

Gaussian quantum states hold special importance in the continuous variable (CV) regime. In quantum information science, the understanding and characterization of central resources such as entanglement may strongly rely on the knowledge of the Gaussian or non-Gaussian character of the quantum state. However, the quantum measurement associated with the spectral photocurrent of light modes consists of a mixture of quadrature observables. Within the framework of two recent papers [Phys. Rev. A 88, 052113 (2013) and Phys. Rev. Lett. 111, 200402 (2013)], we address here how the statistics of the spectral photocurrent relates to the character of the Wigner function describing those modes. We show that a Gaussian state can be misidentified as non-Gaussian and vice-versa, a conclusion that forces the adoption of tacit \textit{a priori} assumptions to perform quantum state reconstruction. We experimentally analyze the light beams generated by the optical parametric oscillator (OPO) operating above threshold to show that the data strongly supports the generation of Gaussian states of the field, validating the use of necessary and sufficient criteria to characterize entanglement in this system.

Gain, noise and intermodulation in a nonlinear superconducting resonator

A superconducting microwave resonator is modified with several weak links to make it nonlinear and operated as a phase-insensitive microwave amplifier. Signal gain is demonstrated by intermodulation with a strong pump. The gain is sharply frequency dependent, and we demonstrate phase dependence by examining correlations between the signal and one idler which is a 3rd order intermodulation product of the pump and signal tones. A calibration procedure is described which is based on measurement of both thermal and quantum noise, revealing that the following HEMT amplifier adds noise at 15 times the quantum limit. When operated as a phase-insensitive amplifier the nonlinear resonator added noise at 2.5 times the quantum limit. Significant power is found at intermodulation products beyond 3rd order, which may be responsible for the inability to reach the quantum limit.PACS Codes: 74.78.-w, 42.65.Yj, 85.25.Cp.

Continuous-wave spatial quantum correlations of light induced by multiple scattering

We present theoretical and experimental results on spatial quantum correlations induced by multiple scattering of nonclassical light. A continuous-mode quantum theory is derived that enables determining the spatial quantum correlation function from the fluctuations of the total transmittance and reflectance. Utilizing frequency-resolved quantum noise measurements, we observe that the strength of the spatial quantum correlation function can be controlled by changing the quantum state of an incident bright squeezed-light source. Our results are found to be in excellent agreement with the developed theory and form a basis for future research on, e.g., quantum interference of multiple quantum states in a multiple scattering medium.

Time-Reversal Symmetry Breaking ofp-Orbital Bosons in a One-Dimensional Optical Lattice

We study bosons loaded in a one-dimensional optical lattice of twofold p-orbital degeneracy at each site. Our numerical simulations find an anti-ferro-orbital p(x)+ip(y), a homogeneous p(x) Mott-insulator phase, and two kinds of superfluid phases distinguished by the orbital order (anti-ferro-orbital and paraorbital). The anti-ferro-orbital order breaks time-reversal symmetry. Experimentally observable evidence is predicted for the phase transition between the two different superfluid phases. We also discover that the quantum noise measurement is able to provide a concrete evidence of time-reversal symmetry breaking in the first Mott phase.

High-frequency quantum admittance and noise measurement with an on-chip resonant circuit

By coupling a quantum detector, a superconductor-insulator-superconductor junction, to a Josephson junction \textit{via} a resonant circuit we probe the high frequency properties, namely the ac complex admittance and the current fluctuations of the Josephson junction at the resonant frequencies. The admittance components show frequency dependent singularities related to the superconducting density of state while the noise exhibits a strong frequency dependence, consistent with theoretical predictions. The circuit also allows to probe separately the emission and absorption noise in the quantum regime of the superconducting resonant circuit at equilibrium. At low temperature the resonant circuit exhibits only absorption noise related to zero point fluctuations, whereas at higher temperature emission noise is also present.

Measurement of Quantum Noise in a Carbon Nanotube Quantum Dot in the Kondo Regime

The current emission noise of a carbon nanotube quantum dot in the Kondo regime is measured at frequencies ν of the order or higher than the frequency associated with the Kondo effect k(B)T (K)/h, with TK the Kondo temperature. The carbon nanotube is coupled via an on-chip resonant circuit to a quantum noise detector, a superconductor-insulator-superconductor junction. We find for hν ≈ k(B)T(K) a Kondo effect related singularity at a voltage bias eV ≈ hν, and a strong reduction of this singularity for hν ≈ 3k(B)T(K), in good agreement with theory. Our experiment constitutes a new original tool for the investigation of the nonequilibrium dynamics of many-body phenomena in nanoscale devices.

SU‐D‐301‐06: Impact of Non‐Stationarity in Breast Tomosynthesis on Task‐Based Imaging Performance

Purpose: Reconstructed tomosynthesis data is known to exhibit non‐stationarity, (i.e., the pixel mean and standard deviation depends on location), which is expected to impact our ability to accurately assess imaging performance. The purpose of this study was to characterize the magnitude and impact of non‐stationarity on various imaging tasks. Method and Materials:A phantom consisting of an array of 15 aluminum oxide beads was constructed to measure the 3D modulation transfer function (MTF) across a range of locations in the breast. Similarly, a uniform breast phantom was used to measure the noise‐power spectrum (NPS) across the same range of locations. Simulated tomosynthesis and real tomosynthesis images were acquired to characterize independently the impact of non‐stationarity on quantum and anatomical noise measurements and the impact of scatter on non‐stationarity. The MTF and NPS were compared across locations in terms of measures of sharpness and noise and furthermore combined with a task function to measure task‐based performance indices including the detection, localization, and size estimation of a 4 mm mass. The variability and range of the indices were characterized across the different regions of the breast. Results: The 3D MTF and NPS varied in shape and orientation across location. The measure of sharpness and noise was found to vary by 3% and 2%, respectively, from the center to the edge (located 4 cm from center). The task‐based performance also depended on location, with 4% variation for a detection task and 3% variation for a size estimation task. Overall, variation was mostly along the lateral direction of the breast. Conclusions: This work provides guidelines for the application of Fourier‐based metrics in breast tomosyntehsis. While the shape and orientation of the 3D MTF and NPS are dependent on location, variability of the task‐based performance indices was found to be minimal.

Emission and Absorption Quantum Noise Measurement with an On-Chip Resonant Circuit

Using a quantum detector, a superconductor-insulator-superconductor junction, we probe separately the emission and absorption noise in the quantum regime of a superconducting resonant circuit at equilibrium. At low temperature the resonant circuit exhibits only absorption noise related to zero point fluctuations, whereas at higher temperature emission noise is also present. By coupling a Josephson junction, biased above the superconducting gap, to the same resonant circuit, we directly measure the noise power of quasiparticles tunneling through the junction at two resonance frequencies. It exhibits a strong frequency dependence, consistent with theoretical predictions.

Noise measurement system at electron temperature down to 20 mK with combinations of the low pass filters

We developed a quantum noise measurement system in a dilution refrigerator by using three kinds of cryogenic low pass filters. One of them is a commercial low pass filter inserted into the noise measurement lines instead of the conventional powder filter, which assures well-defined circuit parameters necessary for the noise measurement at a finite frequency. We checked that this filter gives sufficiently large attenuation up to 20 GHz at room temperature, 77 and 4.2 K. The electron temperature of the mesoscopic device placed in the present system was confirmed to be down to around 20 mK by measuring the thermal noise of the device.

Measurement of quantum noise in a single-electron transistor near the quantum limit

Operating a superconducting single-electron transistor near a double Cooper-pair resonance allows it to achieve a charge-detection sensitivity of just 3.6 times the ultimate quantum limit.

Ultra low-noise differential ac-coupled photodetector for sensitive pulse detection applications

We report on the performance of ultra low-noise differential photodetectors especially designed for probing of atomic ensembles with weak light pulses. The working principle of the detectors is described together with the analysis procedures employed to extract the photon shot noise of light pulses with ∼1 μs duration. As opposed to frequency response peaked detectors, our approach allows for broadband quantum noise measurements. The equivalent noise charge (ENC) for two different hardware approaches is evaluated to 280 and 340 electrons per pulse, respectively, which corresponds to a dark noise equivalent photon number of n3dB = 0.8 × 105 and n3dB = 1.2 × 105 in the two approaches. Finally, we discuss the possibility of removing classical correlations in the output signal caused by detector imperfection by using double-correlated sampling methods.

High-extinction-ratio resonant cavity polarizer for quantum-optics measurements

The use of a high-finesse Fabry-Perot ring cavity with an odd number of reflections as a high-extinction-ratio resonant polarizer is shown. Experimental results from quantum-noise measurements using resonant cavities as spatial and spectral filters and precision polarizers are presented.

Quantum noise measurements in a continuous-wave laser-diode-pumped Nd:YAG saturated amplifier

We present measurements of the power noise due to optical amplification in a Nd:YAG free-space traveling-wave amplifier as the amplifier transitions from the linear regime into the heavily saturated regime. The quantum noise behavior is demonstrated by saturating the gain of a 100-W class zigzag slab amplifier with a high-power beam and measuring the power noise detected by a single-spatial-mode probe beam traversing the same optical path through the amplifier.

Hermann Anton Haus, 1925–2003

Hermann Anton Haus, 1925–2003

Quantum-noise measurements in high-efficiency single-pass second-harmonic generation with femtosecond pulses

The quantum-noise properties of single-pass second-harmonic blue-light generation with femtosecond pulses have been measured. A conversion efficiency of as much as 63.5% of second-harmonic generation at 428.8 nm was observed in a KNbO(3) crystal with femtosecond (130-fs) pulses with wavelengths centered at 857.6 nm. The quantum noise on the generated blue light was measured to be 1.0 dB (1.4 dB of squeezing inferred) below the shot-noise limit. The noise reduction was found to be sensitive to the average power and the center wavelength of the input fundamental pulses under the condition of strong pump depletion.