Wigner Representation Research Articles

Semiclassical propagation of Wigner functions

We present a comprehensive study of semiclassical phase-space propagation in the Wigner representation, emphasizing numerical applications, in particular as an initial-value representation. Two semiclassical approximation schemes are discussed. The propagator of the Wigner function based on van Vleck's approximation replaces the Liouville propagator by a quantum spot with an oscillatory pattern reflecting the interference between pairs of classical trajectories. Employing phase-space path integration instead, caustics in the quantum spot are resolved in terms of Airy functions. We apply both to two benchmark models of nonlinear molecular potentials, the Morse oscillator and the quartic double well, to test them in standard tasks such as computing autocorrelation functions and propagating coherent states. The performance of semiclassical Wigner propagation is very good even in the presence of marked quantum effects, e.g., in coherent tunneling and in propagating Schrodinger cat states, and of classical chaos in four-dimensional phase space. We suggest options for an effective numerical implementation of our method and for integrating it in Monte-Carlo-Metropolis algorithms suitable for high-dimensional systems.

Higher order properties and Bell inequality violation for the three-mode enhanced squeezed state

By extending the usual two-mode squeezing operator S2 = exp[iλ(Q1P2 + Q2P1)] to the three-mode squeezing operator S3 = exp{iλ[Q1(P2 + P3) + Q2(P1 + P3) + Q3(P1 + P2)]}, we obtain the corresponding three-mode squeezed coherent state. The higher order properties of this state, such as higher order squeezing and higher order sub-Possonian photon statistics, are investigated. It is found that the new squeezed state not only can be squeezed to all even orders but also exhibits squeezing enhancement compared with the usual cases. In addition, we examine the violation of the Bell inequality for the three-mode squeezed states by using the formalism of Wigner representation.

Semiclassical Wigner distribution for a two-mode entangled state generated by an optical parametric oscillator

We derive the steady state solution of the Fokker-Planck equation that describes the dynamics of the nondegenerate optical parametric oscillator in the truncated Wigner representation of the density operator. We assume that the pump mode is strongly damped, which permits its adiabatic elimination. When the elimination is correctly executed, the resulting stochastic equations contain multiplicative noise terms, and do not admit a potential solution. However, we develop an heuristic scheme leading to a satisfactory steady-state solution. This provides a clear view of the intracavity two-mode entangled state valid in all operating regimes of the OPO. A nongaussian distribution is obtained for the above threshold solution.

Time-frequency representations of Wigner type and pseudo-differential operators

We introduce a τ \tau -dependent Wigner representation, Wig τ \operatorname {Wig}_\tau , τ ∈ [ 0 , 1 ] \tau \in [0,1] , which permits us to define a general theory connecting time-frequency representations on one side and pseudo-differential operators on the other. The scheme includes various types of time-frequency representations, among the others the classical Wigner and Rihaczek representations and the most common classes of pseudo-differential operators. We show further that the integral over τ \tau of Wig τ \operatorname {Wig}_\tau yields a new representation Q Q possessing features in signal analysis which considerably improve those of the Wigner representation, especially for what concerns the so-called “ghost frequencies”. The relations of all these representations with respect to the generalized spectrogram and the Cohen class are then studied. Furthermore, a characterization of the L p L^p -boundedness of both τ \tau -pseudo-differential operators and τ \tau -Wigner representations are obtained.

Number-phase Wigner representation for efficient stochastic simulations

Phase-space representations based on coherent states (P, Q, Wigner) have been successful in the creation of stochastic differential equations (SDEs) for the efficient stochastic simulation of high dimensional quantum systems. However many problems using these techniques remain intractable over long integrations times. We present a number-phase Wigner representation that can be unraveled into SDEs. We demonstrate convergence to the correct solution for an anharmonic oscillator with small dampening for significantly longer than other phase space representations. This process requires an effective sampling of a non-classical probability distribution. We describe and demonstrate a method of achieving this sampling using stochastic weights.

Generalized multi-mode bosonic realization of the SU(1, 1) algebra and its corresponding squeezing operator

By constructing a generalized multi-partite entangled state representation and introducing the ket-bra integral in this representation, we find a new set of generalized bosonic realization of the generators of the SU(1, 1) algebra, which can compose a generalized multi-mode squeezing operator. This operator squeezes the multi-partite entangled state in a natural way. Then the corresponding multi-mode squeezed vacuum states |r⟩ is obtained. Based on this, the variances of the n-mode quadratures and the higher-order squeezing in |r⟩ are evaluated. In addition, we examine the violation of the Bell inequality for |r⟩ by using the formalism of Wigner representation.

Commuting Heisenberg operators as the quantum response problem: Time-normal averages in the truncated Wigner representation

The applicability of the so-called truncated Wigner approximation (−W) is extended to multitime averages of Heisenberg field operators. This task splits naturally in two. First, what class of multitime averages the −W approximates and, second, how to proceed if the average in question does not belong to this class. To answer the first question, we develop a (in principle, exact) path-integral approach in phase space based on the symmetric (Weyl) ordering of creation and annihilation operators. These techniques calculate a new class of averages which we call time-symmetric. The −W equations emerge as an approximation within these path-integral techniques. We then show that the answer to the second question is associated with response properties of the system. In fact, for two-time averages, Kubo’s renowned formula relating the linear-response function to two-time commutators suffices. The −W is directly generalized to the response properties of the system allowing one to calculate approximate time normally ordered two-time correlation functions with surprising ease. The techniques we develop are demonstrated for the Bose-Hubbard model.

Numerical representation of quantum states in the positive- P and Wigner representations

Numerical stochastic integration is a powerful tool for the investigation of quantum dynamics in interacting many-body systems. As with all numerical integration of differential equations, the initial conditions of the system being investigated must be specified. With application to quantum optics in mind, we show how various commonly considered quantum states can be numerically simulated by the use of widely available Gaussian and uniform random number generators. We note that the same methods can also be applied to computational studies of Bose–Einstein condensates, and give some examples of how this can be done.

Diffraction of paraxial partially coherent fields by planar obstacles in the Wigner representation

The free-space propagation of paraxial, partially coherent stationary fields can be described in a simple and intuitive way through the use of the Wigner function. In this context, this function plays the role of a generalized radiance that is constant along straight lines or rays. The effect of diffraction by transverse planar opaque obstacles or apertures is considered here for this representation, and a simple analytic approximate formula is given for the case when the incident field is quasi-homogeneous, at least in the neighborhood of the obstacle's edges. In this result, diffraction is accounted for by including rays emanating from the obstacle's edges.

Laser-field-induced surface-hopping method for the simulation and control of ultrafast photodynamics

We present the semiclassical laser-field-induced surface-hopping method for the simulation and control of coupled electron-nuclear dynamics in complex molecular systems including all degrees of freedom. Our approach is based on the Wigner representation of quantum mechanics. The combination of the molecular dynamics ``on the fly'' employing quantum initial conditions with the surface-hopping procedure allows for the treatment of the electronic transitions induced by the laser field. Our semiclassical approach reproduced accurately exact quantum dynamics in a two-electronic-state model system. We demonstrate the scope of our method on the example of the optimal pump-dump control of the trans-cis isomerization of a prototypical Schiff base molecular switch. Our results show that selective photochemistry can be achieved by shaped laser pulses which open new dynamical pathways by suppressing the isomerization through the conical intersections between electronic states.

Thermodynamic properties and electrical conductivity of strongly correlated plasma media

We study thermodynamic properties and the electrical conductivity of dense hydrogen and deuterium using three methods: classical reactive Monte Carlo, direct path integral Monte Carlo (PIMC) and a quantum dynamics method in the Wigner representation of quantum mechanics. We report the calculation of the deuterium compression quasi-isentrope in good agreement with experiments. We also solve the Wigner–Liouville equation of dense degenerate hydrogen calculating the initial equilibrium state by the PIMC method. The obtained particle trajectories determine the momentum–momentum correlation functions and the electrical conductivity and are compared with available theories and simulations.

Wigner tomography of two-qubit states and quantum cryptography

Tomography of the two-qubit density matrix shared by Alice and Bob is an essential ingredient for guaranteeing an acceptable margin of confidentiality during the establishment of a secure fresh key through the quantum key distribution scheme. We show how the Singapore protocol for key distribution is optimal from this point of view, due to the fact that it is based on so-called symmetric informationally complete positive-operator-valued measure (SIC POVM) qubit tomography which allows the most accurate full tomographic reconstruction of an unknown density matrix on the basis of a restricted set of experimental data. We illustrate with the help of experimental data the deep connections that exist between SIC POVM tomography and discrete Wigner representations. We also emphasize the special role played by Bell states in this approach and propose a protocol for quantum key distribution during which a third party is able to concede or to deny a posteriori to the authorized users the ability to build a fresh cryptographic key.

Towards a kinetic theory for fermions with quantum coherence

A new density matrix and corresponding quantum kinetic equations are introduced for fermions undergoing coherent evolution either in time (coherent particle production) or in space (quantum reflection). A central element in our derivation is finding new spectral solutions for the 2-point Green's functions written in the Wigner representation, that are carrying the information of the quantum coherence. Physically observable density matrix is then defined from the bare singular 2-point function by convoluting it with the extrenous information about the state of the system. The formalism is shown to reproduce familiar results from the Dirac equation approach, like Klein problem and nonlocal reflection from a mass wall. The notion of the particle number in the presence of quantum coherence is shown to be particularly transparent in the current picture. We extend the formalism to the case of mixing fields and show how the usual flavour mixing and oscillation of neutrinos emerges again from a singular shell structure. Finally, we show how the formalism can be extended to include decohering interactions.

Dynamics and statistical mechanics of ultra-cold Bose gases using c-field techniques

We review phase-space techniques based on the Wigner representation that provide an approximate description of dilute ultra-cold Bose gases. In this approach the quantum field evolution can be represented using equations of motion of a similar form to the Gross-Pitaevskii equation but with stochastic modifications that include quantum effects in a controlled degree of approximation. These techniques provide a practical quantitative description of both equilibrium and dynamical properties of Bose gas systems. We develop versions of the formalism appropriate at zero temperature, where quantum fluctuations can be important, and at finite temperature where thermal fluctuations dominate. The numerical techniques necessary for implementing the formalism are discussed in detail, together with methods for extracting observables of interest. Numerous applications to a wide range of phenomena are presented.

Matchgates and classical simulation of quantum circuits

LetG(A, B) denote the two-qubit gate that acts as the one-qubitSU(2) gatesAandBin the even and odd parity subspaces, respectively, of two qubits. Using a Clifford algebra formalism, we show that arbitrary uniform families of circuits of these gates, restricted to act only on nearest neighbour (n.n.) qubit lines, can be classically efficiently simulated. This reproduces a result originally proved by Valiant using his matchgate formalism, and subsequently related by others to free fermionic physics. We further show that if the n.n. condition is slightly relaxed, to allow the same gates to act only on n.n. and next n.n. qubit lines, then the resulting circuits can efficiently perform universal quantum computation. From this point of view, the gap between efficient classical and quantum computational power is bridged by a very modest use of a seemingly innocuous resource (qubit swapping). We also extend the simulation result above in various ways. In particular, by exploiting properties of Clifford operations in conjunction with the Jordan–Wigner representation of a Clifford algebra, we show how one may generalize the simulation result above to provide further classes of classically efficiently simulatable quantum circuits, which we call Gaussian quantum circuits.

Hybrid phase-space simulation method for interacting Bose fields

We introduce an approximate phase-space technique to simulate the quantum dynamics of interacting bosons. With the future goal of treating Bose-Einstein condensate systems, the method is designed for systems with a natural separation into highly occupied (condensed) modes and lightly occupied modes. The method self-consistently uses the Wigner representation to treat highly occupied modes and the positive-$P$ representation for lightly occupied modes. In this method, truncation of higher-derivative terms from the Fokker-Planck equation is usually necessary. However, at least in the cases investigated here, the resulting systematic error, over a finite time, vanishes in the limit of large Wigner occupation numbers. We tested the method on a system of two interacting anharmonic oscillators, with high and low occupations, respectively. The hybrid method successfully predicted atomic quadratures to a useful simulation time 60 times longer than that of the positive-$P$ method. The truncated Wigner method also performed well in this test. For the prediction of the correlation in a quantum nondemolition measurement scheme, for this same system, the hybrid method gave excellent agreement with the exact result, while the truncated Wigner method showed a large systematic error.

Negativity and Contextuality are Equivalent Notions of Nonclassicality

Two notions of nonclassicality that have been investigated intensively are: (i) negativity, that is, the need to posit negative values when representing quantum states by quasiprobability distributions such as the Wigner representation, and (ii) contextuality, that is, the impossibility of a noncontextual hidden variable model of quantum theory. Although both of these notions were meant to characterize the conditions under which a classical explanation cannot be provided, we demonstrate that they prove inadequate to the task and we argue for a particular way of generalizing and revising them. With the refined version of each in hand, it becomes apparent that they are in fact one and the same. We also demonstrate the impossibility of noncontextuality or non-negativity in quantum theory with a novel proof that is symmetric in its treatment of measurements and preparations.

Continuous Variable Entanglement of Two Mesoscopic Josephson Junctions Induced by a Thermal Radiation Field

The continuous-variable (CV) entanglement between two mesoscopic Josephson junctions is studied and the time-dependent characteristic function in Wigner representation for the Josephson junction subsystem driven by a single-mode thermal field is analytically obtained. It is found that an initial lowest energy state of the junction subsystem can evolve into a two-mode entangled Gaussian state through the interaction with the thermal radiation field. Furthermore, we investigate the influence of the temperature on the entanglement of the junctions and find that the CV entanglement of the two junctions shows the critical behavior with respect to the temperature.

Quantum Nonlocality and Entanglement of Pair Cat States with Phase Decoherence

We investigate the entanglement of pair cat states in the phase damping channel by adopting the log-negativity and then study the possible violations of Bell's inequalities for the pair cat states in terms of the Wigner representation in phase space based upon parity measurement and displacement operation.

Continuous-Variable Entanglement Transfer from Cavity Field to Two Mesoscopic Josephson Junctions

We consider a composite system of two remote mesoscopic Josephson junctions interacting locally with a two-mode non-classical cavity field and investigate entanglement transfer from a bipartite continuous-variable (CV) system to a pair of localized mesoscopic Josephson junctions. We obtain analytically the time-dependent characteristic functions in the Wigner representation for the two CV subsystems, where two cases are considered for the zero and finite temperatures. Furthermore, we analyse the influences of the temperature on the period recovery of the entanglement.