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S. J. van Enk

Publications and source records attributed to S. J. van Enk.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
arXiv2005

Decoherence of multi-dimensional entangled coherent states

For entangled states of light both the amount of entanglement and the sensitivity to noise generally increase with the number of photons in the state. The entanglement-sensitivity tradeoff is investigated for a particular set of states, multi-dimensional entangled coherent states. Those states possess an arbitrarily large amount of entanglement $E$ provided the number of photons is at least of order $2^{2E}$. We calculate how fast that entanglement decays due to photon absorption losses and how much entanglement is left. We find that for very small losses the amount of entanglement lost is equal to $2/\log(2)\approx 2.89$ ebits per absorbed photon, irrespective of the amount of pure-state entanglement $E$ one started with. In contrast, for larger losses it tends to be the remaining amount of entanglement that is independent of $E$. This may provide a useful strategy for creating states with a fixed amount of entanglement.

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arXiv2005

The most robust entangled state of light

We study how photon absorption losses degrade the bipartite entanglement of entangled states of light. We consider two questions: (i) what state contains the smallest average number of photons given a fixed amount of entanglement? and (ii) what state is the most robust against photon absorption? We explain why the two-mode squeezed state is the answer to the first question but not quite to the second question.

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arXiv2005

Quantifying the resource of sharing a reference frame

We define a new quantity called refbit, which allows one to quantify the resource of sharing a reference frame in quantum communication protocols. By considering both asymptotic and nonasymptotic protocols we find relations between refbits and other communication resources. We also consider the same resources in encoded, reference-frame independent, form. This allows one to rephrase and unify previous work on phase references, reference frames, and superselection rules.

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arXiv2004

Entangled states of light

These notes are more or less a faithful representation of my talk at the Workshop on ``Quantum Coding and Quantum Computing'' held at the University of Virginia. As such it is an introduction for non-physicists to the topics of the quantum theory of light and entangled states of light. In particular, I discuss the photon concept and what is really entangled in an entangled state of light (it is not the photons). Moreover, I discuss an example that highlights the peculiar behavior of entanglement in an infinite-dimensional Hilbert space.

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arXiv2003

Atoms, dipole waves, and strongly focused light beams

We describe the resonant interaction of an atom with a strongly focused light beam by expanding the field in multipole waves. For a classical field, or when the field is described by a coherent state, we find that both intensity pattern and photon statistics of the scattered light are fully determined by a small set of parameters. One crucial parameter is the overlap of the field with the appropriate dipole wave corresponding to the relevant dipole transition in the atom. We calculate this overlap for a particular set of strongly focused longitudinally polarized light beams, whose spot size is only $0.1λ^2$, as discussed in S. Quabis, et al., Appl. Phys. B {\bf 72}, 109 (2001).

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arXiv2003

Quantum communication protocols using the vacuum

We speculate what quantum information protocols can be implemented between two accelerating observers using the vacuum. Whether it is in principle possible or not to implement a protocol depends on whether the aim is to end up with classical information or quantum information. Thus, unconditionally secure coin flipping seems possible but not teleportation.

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arXiv2003

On entanglement capabilities in infinite dimensions or multi-dimensional entangled coherent states

An example is given of an interaction that produces an infinite amount of entanglement in an infinitely short time, but only a finite amount in longer times. The interaction arises from a standard Kerr nonlinearity and a 50/50 beamsplitter, and the initial state is a coherent state. For certain finite interaction times multi-dimensional generalizations of entangled coherent states are generated, for which we construct a teleportation protocol. Similarities between probabilistic teleportation and unambiguous state discrimination are pointed out.

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arXiv2002

Odd numbers of photons and teleportation

Several teleportation protocols, namely those using entangled coherent states, entangled squeezed states, and the single-photon EPR state, are all shown to be particular instances of a more general scheme that relies on the detection of an odd number of photons.

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arXiv2002

Local vs. Joint Measurements for the Entanglement of Assistance

We consider a variant of the entanglement of assistance, as independently introduced by D.P. DiVincenzo {\em et al.} ({\tt quant-ph/9803033}) and O. Cohen (Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 80}, 2493 (1998)). Instead of considering three-party states in which one of the parties, the assistant, performs a measurement such that the remaining two parties are left with on average as much entanglement as possible, we consider four-party states where two parties play the role of assistants. We answer several questions that arise naturally in this scenario, such as (i) how much more entanglement can be produced when the assistants are allowed to perform joint measurements, (ii) for what type of states are local measurements sufficient, (iii) is it necessary for the second assistant to know the measurement outcome of the first, and (iv) are projective measurements sufficient or are more general POVMs needed?

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arXiv2002

Classical Rules in Quantum Games

We consider two aspects of quantum game theory: the extent to which the quantum solution solves the original classical game, and to what extent the new solution can be obtained in a classical model.

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arXiv2002

Phase measurements with weak reference pulses

Quantum state discrimination for two coherent states with opposite phases as measured relative to a reference pulse is analyzed as functions of the intensities of both the signal states and of the reference pulse. This problem is relevant for Quantum Key Distribution with phase encoding. We consider both the optimum measurements and simple measurements that require only beamsplitters and photodetectors.

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arXiv2002

Unambiguous State Discrimination of Coherent States with Linear Optics: Application to Quantum Cryptography

We discuss several methods for unambiguous state discrimination of N symmetric coherent states using linear optics and photodetectors. One type of measurements is shown to be optimal in the limit of small photon numbers for any N. For the special case of N=4 this measurement can be fruitfully used by the receiving end (Bob) in an implementation of the BB84 quantum key distribution protocol using faint laser pulses. In particular, if Bob detects only a single photon the procedure is equivalent to the standard measurement that he would have to perform in a single-photon implementation of BB84, if he detects two photons Bob will unambiguously know the bit sent to him in 50% of the cases without having to exchange basis information, and if three photons are detected, Bob will know unambiguously which quantum state was sent.

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arXiv2002

Entanglement of photons

It is argued that the title of this paper represents a misconception. Contrary to widespread beliefs it is electromagnetic field modes that are ``systems'' and can be entangled, not photons. The amount of entanglement in a given state is shown to depend on redefinitions of the modes; we calculate the minimum and maximum over all such redefinitions for several examples.

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arXiv2001

The Quantum State of an Ideal Propagating Laser Field

We give a quantum information-theoretic description of an ideal propagating CW laser field and reinterpret typical quantum-optical experiments in light of this. In particular we show that contrary to recent claims [T. Rudolph and B. C. Sanders, Phys. Rev. Lett. 87, 077903 (2001)], a conventional laser can be used for quantum teleportation with continuous variables and for generating continuous-variable entanglement. Optical coherence is not required, but phase coherence is. We also show that coherent states play a priveleged role in the description of laser light.

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arXiv2001

The Quantum State of a Propagating Laser Field

Optical implementations of quantum communication protocols typically involve laser fields. However, the standard description of the quantum state of a laser field is surprisingly insufficient to understand the quantum nature of such implementations. In this paper, we give a quantum information-theoretic description of a propagating continuous-wave laser field and reinterpret various quantum-optical experiments in light of this. A timely example is found in a recent controversy about the quantum teleportation of continuous variables. We show that contrary to the claims of T. Rudolph and B. C. Sanders [Phys. Rev. Lett. 87, 077903 (2001)], a conventional laser can be used for quantum teleportation with continuous variables and for generating continuous-variable quantum entanglement. Furthermore, we show that optical coherent states do play a privileged role in the description of propagating laser fields even though they cannot be ascribed such a role for the intracavity field.

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arXiv2001

On the classical character of control fields in quantum information processing

Control fields in quantum information processing are virtually always, almost by definition, assumed to be classical. In reality, however, when such a field is used to manipulate the quantum state of qubits, the qubits never remain completely unentangled with the field. For quantum information processing this is an undesirable property, as it precludes perfect quantum computing and quantum communication. Here we consider the interaction of atomic qubits with laser fields and quantify atom-field entanglement in various cases of interest. We find that the entanglement decreases with the average number of photons $\bar{n}$ in a laser beam as $E\propto\log_2 \bar{n}/\bar{n}$ for $\bar{n}\to\infty$.

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