arXiv subjects

Marcia T. Fontenelle

Publications and source records attributed to Marcia T. Fontenelle.

2 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv1998

Quantum statistics of atoms in microstructures

This paper proposes groove-like potential structures for the observation of quantum information processing by trapped particles. As an illustration the effect of quantum statistics at a 50-50 beam splitter is investigated. For non-interacting particles we regain the results known from photon experiments, but we have found that particle interactions destroy the perfect bosonic correlations. Fermions avoid each other due to the exclusion principle and hence they are far less sensitive to particle interactions. For bosons, the behavior can be explained with simple analytic considerations which predict a certain amount of universality. This is verified by detailed numerical calculations.

quant-ph↗

arXiv1997

Direct and indirect strategies for phase measurement

Recently, Torgerson and Mandel [Phys. Rev. Lett. 76, 3939 (1996)] have reported a disagreement between two schemes for measuring the phase difference of a pair of optical fields. We analyze these schemes and derive their associated phase-difference probability distributions, including both their strong and weak field limits. Our calculation confirms the main point of Torgerson and Mandel of the non-uniqueness of an operational definition of the phase distribution. We further discuss the role of postselection of data and argue that it cannot meaningfully improve the sensitivity.

quant-ph↗