Abstract
In this chapter correlation functions for the electromagnetic field are introduced from which a definition of optical coherence may be formulated. It is shown that the coherent states possess nth-order optical coherence. Photon-correlation measurements and the phenomena of photon bunching and antibunching are described. Phase-dependent correlation functions which are accessible via homodyne measurements are introduced. The theory of photon counting measurements is given.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Reference
R.J. Glauber: Phys. Rev. 130, 2529 (1963)
M. Born, E. Wolf: Principles of Optics, 3rd edn. (Pergamon,London 1965)
P.A.M. Dirac: The Principles of Quantum Mechanics, 3rd edn.(Clarendon, London 1947)
G.I. Taylor: Proc. Cam. Phil. Soc. Math. Phys. Sci. 15, 114(1909)
P. Grangier, G. Roger, A. Aspect: Europhys. Lett. 1, 173 (1986)
R.F. Pfleegor, L. Mandel: Phys. Rev. 159, 1084 (1967)
R. Hanbury-Brown, R.W. Twiss: Nature 177, 27 (1956)
F.T. Arecchi, E. Gatti, A. Sona: Phys. Rev. Lett. 20, 27(1966); F.T. Arecchi, Phys. Lett. 16, 32 (1966)
W. Demtroeder: Laser Spectroscopy, 2nd edn. (Springer,Berlin, Heidelberg 1993)
L. Mandel: Phys. Rev. Lett. 49, 136 (1982)
H.P. Yuen, J.H. Shapiro: IEEE Trans. IT 26, 78 (1980)
L. Mandel: Progress in Optics 2, 183 (North-Holland,Amsterdam 1963)
E.R. Pike: In Quantum Optics, ed. by R.J. Glauber (Academic,New York 1970)
P.L. Kelley, W.H. Kleiner: Phys. Rev. 136, 316 (1964)
M.O. Scully, W.E. Lamb: Phys. Rev. 179, 368 (1969)
H.J. Carmichael: J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 4, 1588 (1987)
D. Mettzer, L. Mandel: IEEE J. QE-6, 661 (1970)
Further Reading
Meystre, P., M. Sargent III: Elements of Quantum Optics, 2nd edn. (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg 1991)
Perina, J.: Coherence of Light (van Nostrand Reinhold, London 1972)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Walls, D., Milburn, G.J. (2008). Coherence Properties of the Electromagnetic Field. In: Walls, D., Milburn, G.J. (eds) Quantum Optics. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-28574-8_3
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-28574-8_3
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-28573-1
Online ISBN: 978-3-540-28574-8
eBook Packages: Physics and AstronomyPhysics and Astronomy (R0)