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Nonclassical Light

Definition: light with properties which can be explained only within quantum optics

More general terms: light

German: nichtklassisches Licht

Categories: quantum optics, fluctuations and noise

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Nonclassical light is light with nonclassical quantum noise properties, which can be understood only on the basis of quantum optics. The most common forms of nonclassical light are the following:

Nonclassical light is often generated either in nonlinear devices such as in sub-threshold optical parametric oscillators or frequency doublers, or in systems with only a single atom or ion (or just a few such emitters), such as a single-atom laser. It is relevant in fundamental quantum physics and also in the context of some high-precision measurements, such as for gravitational wave detection.

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Bibliography

[1]R. J. Glauber, “Coherent and incoherent states of the radiation field”, Phys. Rev. 131 (6), 2766 (1963), doi:10.1103/PhysRev.131.2766
[2]D. Walls, “Squeezed states of light”, Nature 306, 141 (1983), doi:10.1038/306141a0
[3]H. J. Kimble and D. Walls (eds.), Special Issue on Squeezed Light, J. Opt. Soc. Am B 4 (10) (1987)

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See also: quantum optics, quantum noise, squeezed states of light, parametric amplification, single-atom lasers
and other articles in the categories quantum optics, fluctuations and noise

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