Quantum Optical Aspects of Topological Phases, Such as Berry's Phase
Abstract
The contract was for performing experiments on a recently discovered topological phase factor known as 'Berry's phase.' We proposed to examine this phase at both the quantum and classical levels, in its various manifestations. The goals of this contract were successfully accomplished; in particular, we succeeded in demonstrating this phase at the single photon level, thereby demonstrating that this phase did not originate at the classical level. Possible applications of this phase were explored. A two-photon light source, in the form a parametric down-converter of uv laser photons into highly correlated red photons was successfully constructed, and coincidence counting techniques were successfully applied to the detection of the conjugate signal and idler red photons. This formed the experimental basis for the examination of not only Berry's phase, but of the energy-time uncertainty relations, the Franson experiment, the measurement of the tunneling time of the photon, the quantum eraser, and other optical phenomena closely related to the Einstein-Podolsky- Rosen 'paradox.'
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 10, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA273632
Entities
People
- Raymond Y. Chiao
Organizations
- University of California, Berkeley