Quantum mechanical description of linear optics
Abstract
Linear optical networks with any number of modes are described quantum mechanically. We reformulate the conventional formal description based on input–output operator relations and obtain an intuitive description based on the possible paths taken by the photons. The effect of a linear optical network on localized photons is treated within the same formalism. The potential and limitations of linear optics for application in quantum information processing are briefly discussed.
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Both single-qubit maps E_A and E_B can be physically implemented as linear optical networks where polarization and spatial modes of photons are suitably coupled, without acting upon the pump beam.
“In this subsection, we show that both single-qubit maps E A and E B can be physically implemented as linear optical networks ͓6͔ where polarization and spatial modes of photons are suitably coupled, without acting upon the pump beam.”
From Linear optics and quantum maps (2007) · cites this paper as [6]
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- Authors
- Skaar, J., Garcı́a Escartı́n, J. C., & Landro, H.
- Affiliations
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NO)
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
- ORCID
- Skaar, Johannes
- Venue
- American Journal of Physics
- Published
- 2004-09-22
- Volume
- 72
- Issue
- 11
- Pages
- 1385-1391
- ISSN
- 0002-9505 (ISSN-L)
- 1943-2909
- OpenAlex
- W1973907602
- Cited by
- 48
- References
- 4
- Citations by year
- 2025: 5 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 1.01
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- American Journal of Physics (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Artificial Intelligence › Quantum Information and Cryptography
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics › Quantum Mechanics and Applications
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics › Quantum optics and atomic interactions
- Keywords
- linear optics, linear optical networks, quantum information processing
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