Quantum issues with structured light

Williams, Mathew, Bradshaw, David ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6458-432X and Andrews, David (2016) Quantum issues with structured light. In: Complex Light and Optical Forces X, 2016-02-13 - 2016-02-18.

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Abstract

Descriptions of optical beams with structured wavefronts or vector polarizations are widely cast in terms of classical field theory. The corresponding fully quantum counterparts often present new insights into what is physically observed, and they are especially of interest when tackling issues such as entanglement. Similarly, when determining angular momentum densities, it appears that the separate roles of photon spin and beam topological charge can only be satisfactorily addressed within a quantum framework. In some such respects, the quantum versions of theory might be considered to introduce an additional layer of complexity; in others, they can clearly and very substantially simplify the theoretical representation. At the photon level, the fully quantized descriptions of topologically structured and singular beams nonetheless raise important fundamental questions and puzzles, whose resolution continue to invite attention. Many of the mechanistic interpretations and predictions (those that appear to be supported by a true congruence between classic and quantum optical descriptions, essentially conflating electromagnetic field and state wavefunction concepts) can lead to theoretical pitfalls. This paper highlights some physical implications that emerge from a fully quantum treatment of theory.

Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Uncontrolled Keywords: structured light,optical vortex,twisted beam,vector polarized light,quantum optics,singular light,topological light,nanophotonics
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Science > School of Chemistry
Faculty of Science
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Physical and Analytical Chemistry (former - to 2017)
Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Chemistry of Light and Energy
Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Centre for Photonics and Quantum Science
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Depositing User: Pure Connector
Date Deposited: 18 Feb 2016 17:01
Last Modified: 09 Feb 2023 13:53
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/57198
DOI: 10.1117/12.2214946

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