Measuring small longitudinal phase shifts via weak measurement amplification

Weak measurement amplification,which is considered as a very promising scheme in precision measurement,has been applied to various small physical quantities estimations.Since many physical quantities can be converted into phase signals,it is interesting and important to consider measuring small longitudinal phase shifts by using weak measurement.Here,we propose and experimentally demonstrate a novel weak measurement amplification-based small longitudinal phase estimation,which is suitable for polarization interferometry.We realize one order of magnitude amplification measurement of a small phase signal directly introduced by a liquid crystal variable retarder and show that it is robust to the imperfection of interference.Besides,we analyze the effect of magnification error which is never considered in the previous works,and find the constraint on the magnification.Our results may find important applications in high-precision measurements,e.g.,gravitational wave detection.

Low-power system model for quantum entangled photon-pair source

The quantum entangled photon-pair source,as an essential component of optical quantum systems,holds great potential for applications such as quantum teleportation,quan-tum computing,and quantum imaging.The current workhorse technique for preparing photon pairs involves performing spon-taneous parametric down conversion(SPDC)in bulk nonlinear crystals.However,the current power consumption and cost of preparing entangled photon-pair sources are relatively high,pos-ing challenges to their integration and scalability.In this paper,we propose a low-power system model for the quantum entan-gled photon-pair source based on SPDC theory and phase matching technology.This model allows us to analyze the per-formance of each module and the influence of component cha-racteristics on the overall system.In our experimental setup,we utilize a 5 mW laser diode and a typical type-II barium metabo-rate(BBO)crystal to prepare an entangled photon-pair source.The experimental results are in excellent agreement with the model,indicating a significant step towards achieving the goal of low-power and low-cost entangled photon-pair sources.This achievement not only contributes to the practical application of quantum entanglement lighting,but also paves the way for the widespread adoption of optical quantum systems in the future.

Impact of Fiber Dispersion on Performance of Entanglement-Based Dispersive Optics Quantum Key Distribution

Dispersive optics quantum key distribution(DO-QKD)based on energy-time entangled photon pairs is an important QKD scheme.In DO-QKD,the arrival time of photons is used in key generation and security analysis,which would be greatly affected by fiber dispersion.In this work,we establish a theoretical model of the entanglement-based DO-QKD system,considering the protocol,physical processes(such as fiber transmission and single-photon detection),and the analysis of security tests.Based on this theoretical model,we investigate the influence of chromatic dispersion introduced by transmission fibers on the performance of DO-QKD.By analyzing the benefits and costs of dispersion compensation,the system performance under G.652 and G.655 optical fibers are shown,respectively.The results show that dispersion compensation is unnecessary for DO-QKD systems in campus networks and even metro networks.Whereas,it is still required in DO-QKD systems with longer fiber transmission distances.

A new bipartite entangled state describing the parametric down-conversion process and its applications in quantum optics

We construct a new bipartite entangled state（NBES）,which describes both the squeezing and the entanglement involved in the parametric down-conversion process and can be produced using a symmetric beam splitter.Constructing asymmetric ket-bra integrations based on the NBES leads to some new squeezing operators,which clearly exhibit the relationships between squeezing and entangled state transformations.Moreover,an entangled Wigner operator with a definite physical meaning is also presented.

Balancing four-state continuous-variable quantum key distribution with linear optics cloning machine

We show that the secret key generation rate can be balanced with the maximum secure distance of four-state continuous-variable quantum key distribution（CV-QKD） by using the linear optics cloning machine（LOCM）. Benefiting from the LOCM operation, the LOCM-tuned noise can be employed by the reference partner of reconciliation to achieve higher secret key generation rates over a long distance. Simulation results show that the LOCM operation can flexibly regulate the secret key generation rate and the maximum secure distance and improve the performance of four-state CV-QKD protocol by dynamically tuning parameters in an appropriate range.

Corrigendum to“Electromagnetically induced transparency via localized surface plasmon mode-assisted hybrid cavity QED”

We would like to point out the misprinted Fig.3 in our published paper[Chin.Phys.B 32,114205(2023)].Since only orders of subfigures need to be corrected and the main results of the published paper are correct,we present the correct figure in this corrigendum.

Electromagnetically induced transparency via localized surface plasmon mode-assisted hybrid cavity QED

In recent years, most studies have focused on the perfect absorption and high-efficiency quantum memory of the onesided system, ignoring the characteristics of its optical switching contrast. Thus, the performance of all-optical switching and optical transistors is limited. Herein, we propose a localized surface plasmon(LSP) mode-assisted cavity QED system which consists of a Λ-shaped three-level quantum emitter(QE), a metal nanoparticle and a one-sided optical cavity with a fully reflected mirror. In this system, the QE coherently couples to the cavity and LSP mode respectively, which is manipulated by the control field. As a result, considerably high and stable switch contrast of 90% can be achievable due to the strong confined field of the LSP mode and perfect absorption of the optical medium. In addition, we obtain a power dependent effect between the control field and the transmitted frequency as a result of the converted dark state. We employ the Heisenberg–Langevin equation and numerical master equation formalisms to explain high switching, controllable output light and the dark state. Our system introduces an effective method to improve the performance of optical switches based on the one-sided system in quantum information storage and quantum communication.

One-shot detection limits of time-alignment two-photon illumination radar

Quantum radar has recently gained increasing importance in a number of military applications.The estimation accuracy of one-shot quantum illumination events is significant in target detection.However,the accuracy is inevitably deteriorated by measurement noises.The traditional one-shot illumination emits a single photon towards a certain area which thermal noise exists in the path to,and the states of the received photons are hard to distinguish in the following processing.Therefore,a new optical probe source is proposed in this work.The independent detecting unit in the enhanced illumination is comprised of two photons aligned in time by using Hong–Ou–Mandel(HOM)interferometer.Further,oneshot detection in a general discrete model is realized and it proves a significant promotion in accuracy.The expansion of useful parts in parameter space and the lower minimal error probability for hypothesis testing have been mathematically demonstrated.The accuracy of one-shot detection can be effectively improved by the proposed scheme implying that it possesses great potential applications in quantum illumination and imaging.

Preparation of squeezed light with low average photon number based on dynamic Casimir effect

It is well known that squeezed states can be produced by nonlinear optical processes,such as parametric amplification and four wave mixing,in which two photons are created or annihilated simultaneously.Since the Hamiltonian of the dynamic Casimir effect contains a~2 and a~(+2),photons in such a process are also generated or annihilated in pairs.Here we propose to get squeezed light through the dynamic Casimir effect.Specifically,we demonstrate it from the full quantum perspective and the semiclassical perspective successively.Different from previous work,we focus on generating squeezed states with the lowest average photon number,because such squeezed states have better quantum properties.For the full quantum picture,that is,phonons also have quantum properties,when the system is initially in the excited state of phonons,squeezed light cannot be generated during the evolution,but the light field can collapse to the squeezed state by measuring the state of phonons.When the phonon is treated as a classical quantity,that is,the cavity wall is continuously driven,squeezed light with the minimum average photon number will be generated in the case of off-resonance.This will play a positive role in better regulating the photon state generated by the dynamic Casimir system in the future.

Thermometry utilizing stored short-wavelength spin waves in cold atomic ensembles

Temperature,as a measure of thermal motion,is a significant parameter characterizing a cold atomic ensemble optical quantum memory.In a cold gas,storage lifetime strongly depends on its temperature and is associated with the spin wave decoherence.Here we experimentally demonstrate a new spin wave thermometry method relying on this direct dependence.The short-wavelength spin waves resulting from the counter-propagating configuration of the control and the probe laser beams make this thermometry highly suitable for probing in situ the atomic motion in elongated clouds as the ones used in quantum memories.Our technique is realized with comparable precision for memories that rely on electromagnetically induced transparency as well as far-detuned Raman storage.

IN SITU IMAGING OF BREAST CANCER CELLS USING GREEN SEMICONDUCTOR QUANTUM DOTS

The breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in women. To establish an early stage in situ imaging of breast cancer cells, green quantum dots （QDs） are used as a fluorescent signal generator. The QDs based imaging of breast cancer cells involves anti-HER2/neu antibody for labeling the over expressed HER2 on the surface of breast cancer cells. The complete assay involves breast cancer cells, biotin labeled antibody and streptavidin conjugated QDs. The breast cancer cells are grown in culture plates and exposed to the biotin labeled antibodies, and then exposed to streptavidin labeled QDs to utilize the strong and stable biotin-streptavidin interaction. Fluorescent images of the complete assay for breast cancer cells are evaluated on a microscope with a UV light source. Results show that the breast cancer cells in the complete assay are used as fluorescent cells with brighter signals compared with those labeled by the organic dye using similar parameters and the same number of cells.

Planar Metamaterial Absorber Based on Lumped Elements

We present the design of a planar metamaterial absorber based on lumped elements, which shows a wide-band polarization-insensitive and wide-angle strong absorption. This absorber consists of metal electric resonators, the dielectric substrate, the metal film and lumped elements. The simulated absorbances under two different loss conditions indicate that high absorbance in the absorption band is mainly due to lumped resistances. The simulated absorbances under three different load conditions indicate that the local resonance circuit （lumped resistance and capacitance） could boost up the resonance of the whole RLC circuit. The simulated voltage in lumped elements indicates that the transformation efficiency from electromagnetic energy to electric energy in the absorption band is high, and electric energy is subsequently consumed by lumped resistances. This absorber may have potential applications in many military fields.

A concise review of Rydberg atom based quantum computation and quantum simulation

Quantum information processing based on Rydberg atoms emerged as a promising direction two decades ago.Recent experimental and theoretical progresses have shined exciting light on this avenue.In this concise review,we will briefly introduce the basics of Rydberg atoms and their recent applications in associated areas of neutral atom quantum computation and simulation.We shall also include related discussions on quantum optics with Rydberg atomic ensembles,which are increasingly used to explore quantum computation and quantum simulation with photons.

Effects of Turbulent Aberrations on Probability Distribution of Orbital Angular Momentum for Optical Communication

Effects of atmospheric turbulence tilt, defocus, astigmatism and coma aberrations on the orbital angular momentum measurement probability of photons propagating in weak turbulent regime are modeled with Rytov approximation. By considering the resulting wave as a superposition of angular momentum eigenstates, the or- bital angular momentum measurement probabilities of the transmitted digit are presented. Our results show that the effect of turbulent tilt aberration on the orbital angular momentum measurement probabilities of photons is the maximum among these four kinds of aberrations. As the aberration order increases, the effects of turbulence aberrations on the measurement probabilities of orbital angular momentum generally decrease, whereas the effect o[ turbulence defocus can be ignored. For tilt aberration, as the difference between the measured orbital angular momentum and the original orbital angular momentum increases, the orbital angular momentum measurement probability decreases.

Accurate Phase Shift Extraction for Generalized Phase-Shifting Interferometry

An accurate phase shift extraction method for generalized phase-shifting interferometry is suggested. Based on the nearly random phase distribution of the diffraction field of the object, a singular formula is derived to calculate the unknown phase shift without the requirements of an iteration process or the selection of the correct value from two or more possible phase shift solutions as needed before. This method can be used in the cases of two or more frames with both smooth and diffusing object surfaces. Computer simulations and optical experiments have satisfactorily verified the efficiency and accuracy of this method.

Dual-Band Terahertz Left-Handed Metamaterial with Fishnet Structure

We present the design of a dual-band left-handed metamaterial with fishnet structure in the terahertz regime. Its left-handed properties are described by the retrieved effective electromagnetic parameters. We introduce an equivalent circuit which offers a theoretical explanation for the left-handed behavior of the dual-band fishnet metamaterial, and investigate its losses receiving- higher figure of mcrit, The design is beneficial to the development of frequency agile and broadband THz materials and devices＇. The dual-band fishnet metamaterial can be extended to infrared and optical frequency ranges by regulating the structural parameters.

Quantum photonics based on metasurfaces

From metamaterials to metasurfaces,optical nano-structure has been widely investigated for novel and high efficiency functionalities.Apart from the intrisinsic properties of composite material,rich capabilities can be derived from the judi-cious design of metasurfaces,which enable more excellent and highly integrated optical devices than traditional bulk op-tical elements.In the meantime,the abundant manipulation abilites of light in the classical domain can be carried over in-to quantum domain.In this review,we highlight recent development of quantum optics based on metasurfaces,ranging from quantum plasmonics,generation,manipulation and appplication of quantum light to quantum vaccum engineering etc.Finally,some promising avenues for quantum optics with the help of optical metasurface are presented.

Three-Dimensional Analytical Formula for Oblique and Off-Axis Gaussian Beams Propagating through a Cat-Eye Optical Lens

Based on the Collins formula in a cylindrical coordinate system and the method of introducing a hard aperture function into a finite sum of complex Gaussian functions, an approximate three-dimensional analytical formula for oblique and off-axis Gaussian beams propagating through a cat-eye optical lens is derived. Numerical results show that a reasonable choice of the obliquity factor would result in a better focus beam with a higher central intensity at the return place than that without obliquity, whereas the previous conclusion based on geometry optics is that the highest central intensity could be obtained when there is no obliquity.

AlGaN-Based Deep-Ultraviolet Light Emitting Diodes Fabricated on AlN/sapphire Template

We report on the growth and fabrication of deep ultraviolet （DUV） light emitting diodes （LEDs） on an AIN template which was grown on a pulsed atomic-layer epitaxial buffer layer. Threading dislocation densities in the AlN layer are greatly decreased with the introduction of this buffer layer. The crystalline quality of the AlGaN epilayer is further improved by using a low-temperature GaN interlayer between AlGaN and AlN. Electroluminescences of different DUV-LED devices at a wavelength of between 262 and 317nm are demonstrated. To improve the hole concentration of p-type AlGaN, Mg-doping with trimethylindium assistance approach is performed. It is found that the serial resistance of DUV-LED decreases and the performance of DUV-LED such as EL properties is improved.

Influence of the virtual photon field on the squeezing properties of an atom laser

This paper investigates the squeezing properties of an atom laser without rotating-wave approximation in the system of a binomial states field interacting with a two-level atomic Bose-Einstein condensate. It discusses the influences of atomic eigenfrequency, the interaction intensity between the optical field and atoms, parameter of the binomial states field and virtual photon field on the squeezing properties. The results show that two quadrature components of an atom laser can be squeezed periodically. The duration and the degree of squeezing an atom laser have something to do with the atomic eigenfrequency and the parameter of the binomial states field, respectively. The collapse and revival frequency of atom laser fluctuation depends on the interaction intensity between the optical field and atoms. The effect of the virtual photon field deepens the depth of squeezing an atom laser.