Course Summary
Explore the fascinating world of Quantum Optics and Single Photon with this course. Learn about the principles of quantum mechanics and how they apply to the behavior of light and matter.Key Learning Points
- Gain a deeper understanding of the principles of quantum mechanics
- Learn about the behavior of light and matter in the context of quantum optics
- Explore the exciting field of single photon research
Related Topics for further study
Learning Outcomes
- Gain a deep understanding of quantum mechanics principles and their applications in the field of optics
- Develop skills in designing and implementing optical systems for single photon research
- Understand the potential of quantum computing and its applications in the field of quantum optics
Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course
- Familiarity with basic physics concepts
- Knowledge of calculus and linear algebra
Course Difficulty Level
IntermediateCourse Format
- Self-paced
- Online
Similar Courses
- Quantum Mechanics for Everyone
- Quantum Computing Fundamentals
Related Education Paths
Notable People in This Field
- Scott Aaronson
- Seth Lloyd
Related Books
Description
This course gives you access to basic tools and concepts to understand research articles and books on modern quantum optics. You will learn about quantization of light, formalism to describe quantum states of light without any classical analogue, and observables allowing one to demonstrate typical quantum properties of these states. These tools will be applied to the emblematic case of a one-photon wave packet, which behaves both as a particle and a wave. Wave-particle duality is a great quantum mystery in the words of Richard Feynman. You will be able to fully appreciate real experiments demonstrating wave-particle duality for a single photon, and applications to quantum technologies based on single photon sources, which are now commercially available. The tools presented in this course will be widely used in our second quantum optics course, which will present more advanced topics such as entanglement, interaction of quantized light with matter, squeezed light, etc...
Outline
- Quantization of light: one mode
- 0.0 General introduction to the course
- 1.0 Introduction to Lesson 1
- 1.1 Canonical quantization
- 1.2.1 Material harmonic oscillator /1
- 1.2.2 Material harmonic oscillator /2
- 1.3 Single mode of radiation
- 1.4 Canonical quantization of a single mode
- 1.5 Observables
- 1.6 Number states; Photon
- 1.7 Vacuum fluctuations
- 1.8 What have we learnt? What next?
- Introduction to homework 1
- Quantization of classical oscillators
- Homework 1
- Correction of Homework 1
- Questions about the general introduction
- Practice quiz video 1.1
- Practice quiz video 1.2.1
- Video 1.2.2.
- Video 1.3
- Video 1.4
- Video 1.5
- Video 1.7
- Video 1.8
- Homework 1 evaluation
- One photon state in a single mode: particle-like behaviour
- 2.0 Introduction
- 2.1 The semi-classical model of optics
- 2.2 One-photon state in a single mode
- 2.3 Photo-detection signals
- 2.4 Single photo-detection signal for a one photon state
- 2.5 Double photo-detection signal for a one photon state: a fully quantum behavior
- 2.6 Quantum optics: a must
- Homework 2
- Correction of Homework 2
- Video 2.1
- Video 2.2
- Video 2.3
- Video 2.6
- Homework 2 evaluation
- One photon interference: Wave-Particle duality
- 3.0 Introduction to Lesson 3
- 3.1 Beam-splitter in quantum optics
- 3.2 One photon wave-packet on a beam splitter
- 3.3 Mach-Zehnder interferometer in classical optics
- 3.4 One-photon interference
- 3.5 Wave-particle duality: “a quantum mystery”; a consistent formalism
- Homework 3
- Homework 3 correction
- A historical feeble light interference experiment
- Video 3.1 Tensor product properties
- Video 3.2 Transforming photon number operator on a BS
- Final practice quiz
- Homework 3 evaluation
- Multimode quantized radiation: quantum optics in a real lab
- 4.0 Introduction to lesson 4
- 4.1 Canonical quantization of multimode radiation
- 4.2 Eigen-states of the Hamiltonian: space of states, energy of the vacuum
- 4.3 Total number of photons
- 4.4 Linear and angular momentum
- 4.5 Field observables: vacuum fluctuations
- 4.6 Photo-detection signals
- 4.7 Conclusion: what you have learned; the quantum vacuum
- Paper of Glauber 1983 on quantum formalism of light
- Homework 4
- homework 4 corrected
- Video 4.4
- Homework 4 evaluation
- One photon sources in the real world
- 5.0 Introduction to Lesson 5
- 5.1 Heisenberg formalism: photo-detection signals
- 5.2 Multimode one-photon wave-packet
- 5.3 Spontaneous emission photon
- 5.4 A detour to Fourier transforms
- 5.5 Real one-photon sources
- 5.6 One-photon sources for what?
- Homework 5
- Homework 5 corrected
- Evaluation of homework 5
- Wave-particle duality for a single photon in the real world
- 6.0 Introduction to Lesson 6
- 6.1 Anti-correlation for a one-photon wave-packet on a beam-splitter
- 6.2 Anti-correlation experiments: fully quantum behavior
- 6.3 Anti-correlation with supplementary photons
- 6.4 One-photon interference signal
- 6.5 One photon interference experiment
- 6.6 Wave particle duality and complementarity
- 6.7 A fruitful mystery
- Homework 6
- Correction of homework 6
- video 6.4
- Evaluation of homework 6
- One-photon based quantum technologies
- 7.0 The second quantum revolution: from concepts to technology
- 7.1 Quantum random numbers generator (QRNG)
- 7.2 Weak light pulses on a beam-splitter
- 7.3 One-photon polarization as a qubit
- 7.4 Quantum cryptography: the BB84 QKD scheme
- 7.5 The no-cloning theorem
- 7.6 Conclusion of the lesson and of Quantum Optics 1
- Homework 7
- Video 7.1
- Evaluation of homework 7 (non graded)
Summary of User Reviews
Discover the world of quantum optics and single-photon sources in this course. Students rave about the engaging content and knowledgeable instructors. One key aspect that many users thought was good is the hands-on approach to learning, allowing students to apply theoretical concepts in practice.Pros from User Reviews
- Engaging content
- Knowledgeable instructors
- Hands-on approach to learning
- Interactive assignments and quizzes
- Great for beginners
Cons from User Reviews
- Some technical issues with the platform
- Course materials could be more organized
- Lack of advanced topics
- Not enough focus on practical applications
- Limited interaction with instructors
Alain AspectTop Instructor
4.8 Raiting
Quantum Optics 1 : Single Photons
- 4.8
-
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
This course gives you access to basic tools and concepts to understand research articles and books on modern quantum optics. ....
Light Emitting Diodes and Semiconductor Lasers
- 0.0
-
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
This course can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5605, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree....
Quantum Optics 2 - Two photons and more
- 4.9
-
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
"Quantum Optics 1, Single photons", allowed learners to be introduced to the basic principles of light quantization, and to the standard formalism of Quantum Optics....
Chemistry
- 4.7
-
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
This course is designed to cover subjects in advanced high school chemistry courses, correlating to the standard topics as established by the American Chemical Society....
