Progress in Optics (eBook)

Front Cover 1
Progress in Optics, Volume 42 4
Copyright Page 5
Contents 8
Preface 6
Chapter 1. Quanta and information 14
Introduction 16
1. The quantum concept 16
2. Information 29
3. Quantum information 43
4. The problem of decoherence 87
5. Conclusions 95
Acknowledgements 97
References 97
Chapter 2. Optical solitons in periodic media with resonant and off-resonant nonlinearities 106
1. Introduction 108
2. Solitons in Bragg gratings with cubic and quadratic nonlinearities 112
3. Self-induced transparency (SIT) in uniform media and thin films 118
4. SIT in resonantly absorbing Bragg reflectors (RABR): the model 122
5. Bright solitons in RABR 133
6. Dark solitons in RABR 142
7. Light bullets (spatiotemporal solitons) 149
8. Experimental prospects and conclusions 152
Abbreviations 155
Acknowledgments 155
References 155
Chapter 3. Quantum Zeno and inverse quantum Zeno effects. 160
1. Introduction 162
2. Two-level systems and Bloch vector 165
3. Pulsed observation 168
4. Dynamical quantum Zeno effect 176
5. Continuous observation 180
6. Novel definition of quantum Zeno effect 186
7. Zeno effects in down-conversion processes 188
8. Genuine unstable systems and Zeno effects 204
9. Three-level system in a laser field 212
10. Concluding remarks 226
Acknowledgments 227
References 227
Chapter 4. Singular optics 232
1. Introduction 234
2. Anticipations of singular optics 236
3. Wave-front dislocations – phase defects 239
4. Circular and linear edge dislocations 244
5. Screw wave-front dislocation – axial OV 252
6. Reflection, refraction, interference and diffraction of OVs 257
7. Topology of wave fronts and vortex trajectories 262
8. Gouy phase shift in singular optics 271
9. Statistics of phase dislocations 274
10. Optical vortices in frequency conversion processes 276
11. Applications 281
12. Conclusions 284
References 285
Chapter 5. Multi-photon quantum interferometry 290
1. Introduction: practical optical tests of Bell inequalities 292
2. Two-photon interferometry with type-I phase-matched SPDC 296
3. Two-photon interferometry with type-II SPDC 303
4. Higher multiple-photon entanglement 324
References 333
Chapter 6. Transverse mode shaping and selection in laser resonators. 338
1. Introduction 340
2. Transverse modes 341
3. Intra-cavity elements and resonator configurations 347
4. Properties of the laser output beams 379
5. Concluding remarks 396
Acknowledgements 396
References 396
Author Index for Volume 42 400
Subject Index for Volume 42 414
Contents of Previous Volumes 418
Cumulative Index, Volumes 1-42 428