Mode Matched Photon Conversion for Quantum Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Quantum-entanglement based measurement systems face performance limitations due to susceptibility to loss, scattering, and environmental disturbances, leading to lower signal-to-noise ratios compared to classical systems, which can deploy brighter beams for detection.
Innovation Solution
A measurement technique utilizing parametric nonlinear processes to convert information-carrying electromagnetic quanta into phase-coherent signature quanta, allowing for improved signal-to-noise ratios by creating twin beams with many photons per pulse, which are not necessarily entangled, and using mode-selective detection to enhance detection efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If quantum-entanglement based measurement systems are used, then signal-to-noise ratio can be improved through entangled photon pairs, but system performance deteriorates due to susceptibility to loss, scattering, and environmental disturbances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the measurement system from using entangled quantum states to using classical coherent states with large photon numbers. This parameter change allows the system to achieve high signal-to-noise ratios through bright beams while eliminating the vulnerability to quantum decoherence, loss, and environmental disturbances that plagues entangled photon systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs the concept of copying by using multiple identical copies of classical coherent states (bright beams) instead of unique entangled photon pairs. This allows the system to send many photons through the channel, maintaining the signal through statistical accumulation while avoiding the fragility of quantum entanglement.
2Reliability
If classical beams with many photons are used, then system robustness is improved, but signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates due to inability to distinguish reflected signals from background noises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by preparing the measurement system in advance with known coherent states and establishing a reference frame for the measurement. This allows the system to distinguish reflected signals from background noise through careful preparation and reference comparison, achieving both robustness and high signal-to-noise ratio.
3Measurement precision
If single photon detection is used, then quantum effects are utilized, but detection probability deteriorates due to low probability of reflected photon return
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the detection of multiple photons into a unified measurement process. Instead of detecting individual photons one at a time, the system combines the detection of many photons in a bright beam, using statistical methods to extract information. This merging increases the detection probability while maintaining quantum mechanical principles through the use of coherent states.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This technique significantly improves the signal-to-noise ratio and system performance by using bright twin beams with many photons per pulse, outperforming classical systems and quantum-entanglement based systems, enabling reliable detection in low-visibility conditions and strong background noise environments.
Implementation Method 1
a measurement technique based on coherent quantum-mechanical enhancement effects is disclosed. The technique utilizes parametric nonlinear processes where information-carrying electromagnetic quanta (e.g., optical photons, microwave photons, radio photons) in a large number of electromagnetic modes are converted phase coherently to signature quanta in a single mode or a few modes.
Implementation Method 2
The phase coherence means that while the quanta before conversion may have unequal or uncertain phase values across the modes, the signature quanta converted from those different modes to the same mode have a (near) uniform phase, i.e., the relative phase values for most quanta are close to zero, well within 180 degree.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a generally-applicable measurement technique based on coherent quantum enhancement effects and provides embodiments with nonlinear optics. The technique utilizes parametric nonlinear processes where the information-carrying electromagnetic quanta in a number of electromagnetic modes are converted phase coherently to signature quanta in a single mode or a few modes. The phase coherence means that while the quanta before conversion may have unequal or uncertain phase values across the modes, the signature quanta converted from those different modes have the (near) uniform phase. This can lead to significant increase in the signal to noise ratio in detecting weak signal buried in strong background noise. Applications can be found in remote sensing, ranging, biological imaging, field imaging, target detection and identification, covert communications, and other fields that can benefit from improved signal to noise ratios by using the phase coherent effect.