Quantum optics

Course goals

1. After completing this course, you are familiar with the formalism of second quantization and can apply it to the electro-magnetic field.
2. After completing this course, you can describe chaotic light, coherent light and single photons using Fock states and coherent states.
3. After completing this course, you are familiar with the first- and second-order degree of coherence. You can calculate that for various types of light and explain how they can be measured in an experiment.
4. After completing this course, you can describe nonlinear optical effects in the language of second quantization and explain how these processes play a role in quantum optics.
 

Content

You are familiar with, and are able to work with the description of the quantum harmonic oscillator in terms of raising and lowering operators.
You are familiar with, and are able to work with Maxwell's equations in vacuum.


Quantum physics is obviously a fascinating topic, which has ever more practical applications. It is no coincidence that many of these applications are in the realm of quantum optics; as optics experiments are compact, cheap and extremely precise, having the ability to carry out quantum experiments with light, opens up many avenues to study the counterintuitive aspects of quantum mechanics.

Many experiment in the field of quantum optics are in fact practical implementations of thought experiments that were historically used to illustrate the bizarre nature of quantum mechanics, or even to illustrate that (certain interpretations of) quantum mechanics can somehow not be correct. Famous examples include the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox and Wigner's delayed choice experiment.

In this course, we will learn how to describe the quantum nature of light. This will give us the tools to truly understand these famous and thought provoking experiments. We will also learn what a photon actually is!