Measuring the Quantum State of Light (Cambridge Studies in Modern Optics, Series Number 22)

Quantum mechanics sets fundamental limits on the amount of information one can extract from a system with a single set of measurements. Recent results of new theoretical analyses and optical experiments have given rise to a more complete knowledge of the quantum properties of light. This book gives the first detailed description of this fascinating branch of quantum optics. The author describes some key results and tools from quantum optics and then discusses the quantum mechanical description of simple optical instruments before giving a detailed treatment of quantum tomography. The book concludes with a chapter devoted to the problem of the simultaneous measurement of position and momentum. This book will appeal to graduate students and researchers in quantum optics as well as anyone interested in the foundations of quantum mechanics or more general problems of quantum measurement. Quantum mechanics sets fundamental limits on the amount of information one can extract from a system with a single set of measurements. Recent results of new theoretical analyses and sophisticated optical experiments have approached these limits as never before, giving rise to a more complete knowledge of the quantum properties of light. This book is the first to give a detailed description of this fascinating branch of quantum optics. Graduate students and researchers in quantum optics will find this a fascinating book. It will also appeal to anyone interested in the foundations of quantum mechanics or more general problems of quantum measurement Ulf Leonhardt. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 184-192) And Index.