Theory of polaritonic quantum-vacuum detection

Lindel, F., Bennett, R. and Buhmann, S. Y. (2020) Theory of polaritonic quantum-vacuum detection. Physical Review A: Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics, 102(4), 041701(R). (doi: 10.1103/PhysRevA.102.041701)

Abstract

Recent progress in electro-optic sampling has allowed direct access to the fluctuations of the electromagnetic ground state. Here, we present a theoretical formalism that allows for an in-depth characterization and interpretation of such quantum-vacuum detection experiments by relating their output statistics to the quantum statistics of the electromagnetic vacuum probed. In particular, we include the effects of absorption and dispersion. Our results agree with available experimental data while leading to significant corrections to previous theoretical predictions and generalizing them to new parameter regimes. We show that transverse (free-field) as well as longitudinal (matter or near-field) fluctuations can be accessed individually by tuning the experimental parameters.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Bennett, Dr Robert
• Authors: Lindel, F., Bennett, R., and Buhmann, S. Y.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
• Journal Name: Physical Review A: Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics
• Publisher: American Physical Society
• ISSN: 2469-9926
• ISSN (Online): 2469-9934
• Published Online: 19 October 2020
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2020 American Physical Society
• First Published: First published in 102(4):041701(R)
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher