SU(2) and SU(1,1) interferometers
Abstract
A Lie-group-theoretical approach to the analysis of interferometers is presented. Conventional interferometers such as the Mach-Zehnder and Fabry-Perot can be characterized by SU(2). We introduce a class of interferometers characterized by SU(1,1). These interferometers employ active elements such as four-wave mixers or degenerate-parametric amplifiers in their construction. Both the SU(2) and SU(1,1) interferometers can in principle achieve a phase sensitivity Δφ approaching 1/N, where N is the total number of quanta entering the interferometer, provided that the light entering the input ports is prepared in a suitable quantum state. SU(1,1) interferometers can achieve this sensitivity with fewer optical elements.
- Publication:
-
Physical Review A
- Pub Date:
- June 1986
- DOI:
- Bibcode:
- 1986PhRvA..33.4033Y
- Keywords:
-
- Fabry-Perot Interferometers;
- Lie Groups;
- Mach-Zehnder Interferometers;
- Parametric Amplifiers;
- Quantum Theory;
- Wave Interaction;
- Hermitian Polynomial;
- Lorentz Transformations;
- Lossless Materials;
- Matrices (Mathematics);
- Phase Shift;
- Schroedinger Equation;
- Optics;
- 42.50.Ar;
- 42.10.Jd;
- 07.60.Ly;
- 03.65.Bz;
- Photon statistics and coherence theory;
- Interferometers