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Quantum Information Processing with Finite Resources
by Marco TomamichelThis book provides the reader with the mathematical framework required to fully explore the potential of small quantum information processing devices. As decoherence will continue to limit their size, it is essential to master the conceptual tools which make such investigations possible. A strong emphasis is given to information measures that are essential for the study of devices of finite size, including Rényi entropies and smooth entropies. The presentation is self-contained and includes rigorous and concise proofs of the most important properties of these measures. The first chapters will introduce the formalism of quantum mechanics, with particular emphasis on norms and metrics for quantum states. This is necessary to explore quantum generalizations of Rényi divergence and conditional entropy, information measures that lie at the core of information theory. The smooth entropy framework is discussed next and provides a natural means to lift many arguments from information theory to the quantum setting. Finally selected applications of the theory to statistics and cryptography are discussed. The book is aimed at graduate students in Physics and Information Theory. Mathematical fluency is necessary, but no prior knowledge of quantum theory is required.
Quantum Information Processing: Theory and Implementation (Graduate Texts in Physics)
by Mark Hillery János A. Bergou Mark SaffmanThis new edition of a well-received textbook provides a concise introduction to both the theoretical and experimental aspects of quantum information at the graduate level. While the previous edition focused on theory, the book now incorporates discussions of experimental platforms. Several chapters on experimental implementations of quantum information protocols have been added: implementations using neutral atoms, trapped ions, optics, and solidstate systems are each presented in its own chapter. Previous chapters on entanglement, quantum measurements, quantum dynamics, quantum cryptography, and quantum algorithms have been thoroughly updated, and new additions include chapters on the stabilizer formalism and the Gottesman-Knill theorem as well as aspects of classical and quantum information theory. To facilitate learning, each chapter starts with a clear motivation to the topic and closes with exercises and a recommended reading list. Quantum Information Processing: Theory and Implementation will be essential to graduate students studying quantum information as well as and researchers in other areas of physics who wish to gain knowledge in the field.
Quantum Information and Coherence
by Erika Andersson Patrik ÖhbergThis book offers an introduction to ten key topics in quantum information science and quantum coherent phenomena, aimed at graduate-student level. The chapters cover some of the most recent developments in this dynamic research field where theoretical and experimental physics, combined with computer science, provide a fascinating arena for groundbreaking new concepts in information processing. The book addresses both the theoretical and experimental aspects of the subject, and clearly demonstrates how progress in experimental techniques has stimulated a great deal of theoretical effort and vice versa. Experiments are shifting from simply preparing and measuring quantum states to controlling and manipulating them, and the book outlines how the first real applications, notably quantum key distribution for secure communication, are starting to emerge. The chapters cover quantum retrodiction, ultracold quantum gases in optical lattices, optomechanics, quantum algorithms, quantum key distribution, quantum control based on measurement, orbital angular momentum of light, entanglement theory, trapped ions and quantum metrology, and open quantum systems subject to decoherence. The contributing authors have been chosen not just on the basis of their scientific expertise, but also because of their ability to offer pedagogical and well-written contributions which will be of interest to students and established researchers.
Quantum Information in the Nanoelectronic World (Synthesis Lectures on Engineering, Science, and Technology)
by David K. FerryThis book provides a concise introduction to quantum information and quantum science. The author discusses in language accessible to a broad audience, the why and how, as well as implementation technologies. The discussion includes coverage of general computing (e.g., Turing ideas) for comparison, and ideas like entropy and minimum dissipation. Topics such as quantum communications and quantum sensing enhance the discussion of quantum computing. In addition, the manner in which entanglement is used in each of these sub-fields is addressed with applications and, for example, a discussion of the quantum Fourier transform.
Quantum Information, Computation and Cryptography
by Fabio Benatti Dimitri Petritis Mark Fannes Roberto FloreaniniThis multi-authored textbook addresses graduate students with a background in physics, mathematics or computer science. No research experience is necessary. Consequently, rather than comprehensively reviewing the vast body of knowledge and literature gathered in the past twenty years, this book concentrates on a number of carefully selected aspects of quantum information theory and technology. Given the highly interdisciplinary nature of the subject, the multi-authored approach brings together different points of view from various renowned experts, providing a coherent picture of the subject matter. The book consists of ten chapters and includes examples, problems, and exercises. The first five present the mathematical tools required for a full comprehension of various aspects of quantum mechanics, classical information, and coding theory. Chapter 6 deals with the manipulation and transmission of information in the quantum realm. Chapters 7 and 8 discuss experimental implementations of quantum information ideas using photons and atoms. Finally, chapters 9 and 10 address ground-breaking applications in cryptography and computation.
Quantum Interaction
by Emmanuel Pothos Bob Coecke Jose Acacio de BarrosThis book constitutes the thoroughly refereed post-conference proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Quantum Interaction, QI 2016, held in San Francisco, CA, USA, in July 2016. The 21 papers presented in this book were carefully reviewed and selected from 39 submissions. The papers address topics such as: Fundamentals; Quantum Cognition; Language and Applications; Contextuality and Foundations of Probability; and Quantum-Like Measurements.
Quantum Interaction
by Harald Atmanspacher Thomas Filk Claudia Bergomi Kirsty KittoThis book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Quantum Interaction, QI 2014, held in Filzbach, Switzerland, in June/July 2014. The 19 papers together with 20 invited keynotes presented in this book were carefully selected from 22 submissions. Quantum Interaction has developed into an emerging interdisciplinary area of science combining research topics in fundamental issues, semantic and memory, decision making, games, politics and social aspects, non-locality and entanglement.
Quantum Interaction
by Emmanuel Haven Harald Atmanspacher Kirsty Kitto Derek RaineThis book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Quantum Interaction, QI 2013, held in Leicester, UK, in July 2013. The 31 papers presented in this book were carefully selected from numerous submissions. The papers cover various topics on quantum interaction and revolve around four themes: information processing/retrieval/semantic representation and logic; cognition and decision making; finance/economics and social structures and biological systems.
Quantum Interaction: 11th International Conference, QI 2018, Nice, France, September 3–5, 2018, Revised Selected Papers (Lecture Notes in Computer Science #11690)
by Bob Coecke Ariane Lambert-MogilianskyThis book constitutes the thoroughly refereed post-conference proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Quantum Interaction, QI 2018, held in Nice, France, in September 2018.The 12 papers presented in this book were carefully reviewed and selected from 15 submissions. The papers address topics such as: psychology, economics, semantic and memory, natural language processing, cognition, information retrieval, biology, and political science.
Quantum Interaction: 7th International Conference, QI 2013, Leicester, UK, July 25-27, 2013. Selected Papers (Lecture Notes in Computer Science #8369)
by Harald Atmanspacher, Emmanuel Haven, Kirsty Kitto and Derek RaineThis book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Quantum Interaction, QI 2013, held in Leicester, UK, in July 2013. The 31 papers presented in this book were carefully selected from numerous submissions. The papers cover various topics on quantum interaction and revolve around four themes: information processing/retrieval/semantic representation and logic; cognition and decision making; finance/economics and social structures and biological systems.
Quantum Key Distribution Networks: A Quality of Service Perspective
by Stefan Rass Miralem Mehic Peppino Fazio Miroslav VoznakThis book focuses on practical implementation details, telecommunication techniques, security and technology challenges and approaches to implementing quantum technology in modern telecommunication systems. The authors use their extensive practical academic and industrial experience in network technologies and provide details from international projects in quantum cryptography in which they actively participate. Using a variety of examples, analogies, illustrations, tables, and features from practical quantum network realizations, the authors provide a unique view of quantum technology from an engineering telecommunication standpoint, allowing the reader to identify the advantages and challenges of quantum technology.This book also addresses challenges posed by quantum technology such as network organization, passive and active eavesdropping, and future trends in QKD such as Software Defined Networking (SDN) with QKD and application QKD in 5G networks. It is conceived through eight chapters by treating the following thematic units separately: Fundamentals of Quantum Key Distribution, QoS architecture/mode, QoS MAC layer, QoS signaling techniques for key management and session negotiation purpose and QoS routing protocols that minimize the consumption of key material through the equitable utilization of network resources when finding an optimal path. Through numerous information on practical solutions, simulation examples, illustrations, and analysis, readers can easily distinguish the specificity of quantum technology and understand the challenges and methods of practical implementation of quantum cryptography in common telecommunications standards. Researchers working in quantum technology and applied networking security as well as advanced-level students studying computer science and electrical engineering will benefit from this book. Professionals working within these related fields will also benefit from this book.
Quantum Key Distribution: An Introduction with Exercises (Lecture Notes in Physics #988)
by Ramona WolfThis textbook introduces the non-specialist reader to the concepts of quantum key distribution and presents an overview of state-of-the-art quantum communication protocols and applications. The field of quantum cryptography has advanced rapidly in the previous years, not least because with the age of quantum computing drawing closer, traditional encryption methods are at risk.The textbook presents the necessary mathematical tools without assuming much background, making it accessible to readers without experience in quantum information theory. In particular, the topic of classical and quantum entropies is presented in great detail. Furthermore, the author discusses the different types of quantum key distribution protocols and explains several tools for proving the security of these protocols. In addition, a number of applications of quantum key distribution are discussed, demonstrating its value to state-of-the-art cryptography and communication. This book leads the reader through the mathematical background with a variety of worked-out examples and exercises. It is primarily targeted at graduate students and advanced undergraduates in theoretical physics. The presented material is largely self-contained and only basic knowledge in quantum mechanics and linear algebra is required.
Quantum Leap: Innovative Strategies for Trade Finance in the 21st Century and Beyond
by Andrea Frosinini Venu BorraDevelop a comprehensive understanding of the evolving landscape of digital trade and finance, including the historical context and the transformative impact of technological innovations on traditional practices. This book charts the relentless march of digitalization within these sectors, highlighting how technological innovations have transformed traditional practices that have stood the test of time. After a detailed historical overview, the narrative then delves into an array of recent experiments within the digital trade and finance realms, some of which have unfortunately faltered, offering valuable lessons on the challenges and pitfalls of implementing new technologies. These case studies serve not only as cautionary tales but also as springboards for innovation, illustrating the critical need for adaptability and careful strategic planning in the face of digital evolution. A significant focus of the book is on the concept of Regenerative Finance (ReFi) applied to international trade and trade finance. This emerging paradigm, aimed at restoring and revitalizing ecosystems and communities through financial practices, is presented as a revolutionary goal for the future of trade. By leveraging the power of digital tools and smart markets, ReFi promises to drive sustainability and resilience within global trade systems, aligning economic activities with ecological and social well-being. The book culminates in an exploration of the rise of smart markets—highly efficient, transparent, and participatory trading ecosystems enabled by cutting-edge technologies like blockchain, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT). These digital platforms are redefining the parameters of trade and finance, making transactions faster, safer, and more inclusive. Quantum Leap provides a thorough understanding of the current state of digital trade and finance and offers a visionary outlook on how these sectors can evolve towards more sustainable and regenerative practices. What You Will Learn Gain a global perspective on digital trade and finance, understanding the implications for diverse stakeholders including industry professionals, policymakers, and academics, and recognizing the interconnectedness of global trade systems. Evaluate the role of digital trade and finance in driving sustainability and social impact, exploring ways in which these sectors can contribute to ecological and social well-being, and promoting equitable and sustainable practices. Reflect on ethical considerations in digital trade and finance, including issues of privacy, security, and equity, and cultivate responsible leadership skills for promoting ethical practices and driving positive change in the industry. Explore innovative approaches to trade and finance, and envision the future trajectory of these sectors, recognizing the potential for transformative change driven by digital technologies. Who This Book Is For Written for a diverse audience, from newbies to industry and IT professionals
Quantum Machine Learning and Optimisation in Finance: On the Road to Quantum Advantage
by Antoine Jacquier Alexander Lipton Oleksiy Kondratyev Marcos Lopez PradoLearn the principles of quantum machine learning and how to apply them in finance.Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free eBook in the PDF format.Key FeaturesDiscover how to solve optimisation problems on quantum computers that can provide a speedup edge over classical methodsUse methods of analogue and digital quantum computing to build powerful generative modelsCreate the latest algorithms that work on Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum (NISQ) computersBook DescriptionWith recent advances in quantum computing technology, we finally reached the era of Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum (NISQ) computing. NISQ-era quantum computers are powerful enough to test quantum computing algorithms and solve hard real-world problems faster than classical hardware.Speedup is so important in financial applications, ranging from analysing huge amounts of customer data to high frequency trading. This is where quantum computing can give you the edge. Quantum Machine Learning and Optimisation in Finance shows you how to create hybrid quantum-classical machine learning and optimisation models that can harness the power of NISQ hardware.This book will take you through the real-world productive applications of quantum computing. The book explores the main quantum computing algorithms implementable on existing NISQ devices and highlights a range of financial applications that can benefit from this new quantum computing paradigm.This book will help you be one of the first in the finance industry to use quantum machine learning models to solve classically hard real-world problems. We may have moved past the point of quantum computing supremacy, but our quest for establishing quantum computing advantage has just begun!What you will learnTrain parameterised quantum circuits as generative models that excel on NISQ hardwareSolve hard optimisation problemsApply quantum boosting to financial applicationsLearn how the variational quantum eigensolver and the quantum approximate optimisation algorithms workAnalyse the latest algorithms from quantum kernels to quantum semidefinite programmingApply quantum neural networks to credit approvalsWho this book is forThis book is for Quants and developers, data scientists, researchers, and students in quantitative finance. Although the focus is on financial use cases, all the methods and techniques are transferable to other areas.
Quantum Machine Learning with Python: Using Cirq from Google Research and IBM Qiskit
by Santanu PattanayakQuickly scale up to Quantum computing and Quantum machine learning foundations and related mathematics and expose them to different use cases that can be solved through Quantum based algorithms.This book explains Quantum Computing, which leverages the Quantum mechanical properties sub-atomic particles. It also examines Quantum machine learning, which can help solve some of the most challenging problems in forecasting, financial modeling, genomics, cybersecurity, supply chain logistics, cryptography among others.You'll start by reviewing the fundamental concepts of Quantum Computing, such as Dirac Notations, Qubits, and Bell state, followed by postulates and mathematical foundations of Quantum Computing. Once the foundation base is set, you'll delve deep into Quantum based algorithms including Quantum Fourier transform, phase estimation, and HHL (Harrow-Hassidim-Lloyd) among others. You'll then be introduced to Quantum machine learning and Quantum deep learning-based algorithms, along with advanced topics of Quantum adiabatic processes and Quantum based optimization. Throughout the book, there are Python implementations of different Quantum machine learning and Quantum computing algorithms using the Qiskit toolkit from IBM and Cirq from Google Research.What You'll LearnUnderstand Quantum computing and Quantum machine learningExplore varied domains and the scenarios where Quantum machine learning solutions can be appliedDevelop expertise in algorithm development in varied Quantum computing frameworksReview the major challenges of building large scale Quantum computers and applying its various techniquesWho This Book Is ForMachine Learning enthusiasts and engineers who want to quickly scale up to Quantum Machine Learning
Quantum Machine Learning: A Modern Approach
by T. Poongodi D. Sumathi S. Karthikeyan M. AkilaThis book presents the research into and application of machine learning in quantum computation, known as quantum machine learning (QML). It presents a comparison of quantum machine learning, classical machine learning, and traditional programming, along with the usage of quantum computing, toward improving traditional machine learning algorithms through case studies.In summary, the book: Covers the core and fundamental aspects of statistics, quantum learning, and quantum machines. Discusses the basics of machine learning, regression, supervised and unsupervised machine learning algorithms, and artificial neural networks. Elaborates upon quantum machine learning models, quantum machine learning approaches and quantum classification, and boosting. Introduces quantum evaluation models, deep quantum learning, ensembles, and QBoost. Presents case studies to demonstrate the efficiency of quantum mechanics in industrial aspects. This reference text is primarily written for scholars and researchers working in the fields of computer science and engineering, information technology, electrical engineering, and electronics and communication engineering.
Quantum Machine Learning: The Theory and Application of Quantum Machine Learning in Science and Industry
by Santanu GangulyKnow how to adapt quantum computing and machine learning algorithms. This book takes you on a journey into hands-on quantum machine learning (QML) through various options available in industry and research.The first three chapters offer insights into the combination of the science of quantum mechanics and the techniques of machine learning, where concepts of classical information technology meet the power of physics. Subsequent chapters follow a systematic deep dive into various quantum machine learning algorithms, quantum optimization, applications of advanced QML algorithms (quantum k-means, quantum k-medians, quantum neural networks, etc.), qubit state preparation for specific QML algorithms, inference, polynomial Hamiltonian simulation, and more, finishing with advanced and up-to-date research areas such as quantum walks, QML via Tensor Networks, and QBoost.Hands-on exercises from open source libraries regularly used today in industry and research are included, such as Qiskit, Rigetti's Forest, D-Wave's dOcean, Google's Cirq and brand new TensorFlow Quantum, and Xanadu's PennyLane, accompanied by guided implementation instructions. Wherever applicable, the book also shares various options of accessing quantum computing and machine learning ecosystems as may be relevant to specific algorithms.The book offers a hands-on approach to the field of QML using updated libraries and algorithms in this emerging field. You will benefit from the concrete examples and understanding of tools and concepts for building intelligent systems boosted by the quantum computing ecosystem. This work leverages the author’s active research in the field and is accompanied by a constantly updated website for the book which provides all of the code examples.What You will Learn Understand and explore quantum computing and quantum machine learning, and their application in science and industry Explore various data training models utilizing quantum machine learning algorithms and Python libraries Get hands-on and familiar with applied quantum computing, including freely available cloud-based access Be familiar with techniques for training and scaling quantum neural networks Gain insight into the application of practical code examples without needing to acquire excessive machine learning theory or take a quantum mechanics deep dive Who This Book Is ForData scientists, machine learning professionals, and researchers
Quantum Machine Learning: Thinking and Exploration in Neural Network Models for Quantum Science and Quantum Computing (Quantum Science and Technology)
by Claudio ContiThis book presents a new way of thinking about quantum mechanics and machine learning by merging the two. Quantum mechanics and machine learning may seem theoretically disparate, but their link becomes clear through the density matrix operator which can be readily approximated by neural network models, permitting a formulation of quantum physics in which physical observables can be computed via neural networks. As well as demonstrating the natural affinity of quantum physics and machine learning, this viewpoint opens rich possibilities in terms of computation, efficient hardware, and scalability. One can also obtain trainable models to optimize applications and fine-tune theories, such as approximation of the ground state in many body systems, and boosting quantum circuits’ performance. The book begins with the introduction of programming tools and basic concepts of machine learning, with necessary background material from quantum mechanics and quantum information also provided. This enables the basic building blocks, neural network models for vacuum states, to be introduced. The highlights that follow include: non-classical state representations, with squeezers and beam splitters used to implement the primary layers for quantum computing; boson sampling with neural network models; an overview of available quantum computing platforms, their models, and their programming; and neural network models as a variational ansatz for many-body Hamiltonian ground states with applications to Ising machines and solitons. The book emphasizes coding, with many open source examples in Python and TensorFlow, while MATLAB and Mathematica routines clarify and validate proofs. This book is essential reading for graduate students and researchers who want to develop both the requisite physics and coding knowledge to understand the rich interplay of quantum mechanics and machine learning.
Quantum Mechanics for Pedestrians 1: Fundamentals (Undergraduate Lecture Notes in Physics)
by Jochen PadeThis book, the first in a two-volume set, provides an introduction to the fundamentals of (mainly) non-relativistic quantum mechanics. This first volume chiefly focuses on the essential principles, while applications and extensions of the formalism can be found in volume 2. Including but also moving beyond material that is covered in traditional textbooks on quantum mechanics, the book discusses in detail current issues such as interaction-free quantum measurements or neutrino oscillations, as well as fundamental problems and epistemological questions, such as the measurement problem. A chapter on the postulates of quantum mechanics rounds off this first volume. In order to quickly and clearly present the main principles of quantum mechanics and its mathematical formulation, there is a systematic transition between wave mechanics and algebraic representation in the first few chapters, in which the required mathematical tools are introduced step by step. Moreover, the appendix concisely reviews the most important mathematical tools, allowing readers to largely dispense with supplementary literature. The appendix also explores advanced topics, such as the Quantum-Zeno effect and time-delay experiments. Over 250 exercises, most of them with solutions, help to deepen the reader’s understanding of the topics discussed. This revised second edition is expanded by an introduction to some ideas and problems of relativistic quantum mechanics. In this first volume, the Klein-Gordon and the Dirac equations are treated. Fundamentals of other areas are compiled in compact form, i.e., outlines of special relativity, classical field theory and electrodynamics. The book is chiefly intended for student science teachers and all students of physics, majors and minors alike, who are looking for a reasonably easy and modern introduction to quantum mechanics.
Quantum Mechanics for Pedestrians 2: Applications and Extensions (Undergraduate Lecture Notes in Physics)
by Jochen PadeThis book, the second in a two-volume set, provides an introduction to the basics of (mainly) non-relativistic quantum mechanics. While the first volume addresses the basic principles, this second volume discusses applications and extensions to more complex problems. In addition to topics dealt with in traditional quantum mechanics texts, such as symmetries or many-body problems, it also treats issues of current interest such as entanglement, Bell’s inequality, decoherence and various aspects of quantum information in detail. Furthermore, questions concerning the basis of quantum mechanics and epistemological issues which are relevant e.g. to the realism debate are discussed explicitly. A chapter on the interpretations of quantum mechanics rounds out the book. Readers are introduced to the requisite mathematical tools step by step. In the appendix, the most relevant mathematics is compiled in compact form, and more advanced topics such as the Lenz vector, Hardy’s experiment and Shor’s algorithm are treated in more detail. As an essential aid to learning and teaching, 130 exercises are included, most of them with solutions. This revised second edition is expanded by an introduction into some ideas and problems of relativistic quantum mechanics. In this second volume, an overview of quantum field theory is given and basic conceptions of quantum electrodynamics are treated in some detail. Originally written as a course for students of science education, the book addresses all those science students and others who are looking for a reasonably simple, fresh and modern introduction to the field.
Quantum Metrology, Imaging, and Communication
by Gregg Jaeger David S. Simon Alexander V. SergienkoThis book describes the experimental and theoretical bases for the development of specifically quantum-mechanical approaches to metrology, imaging, and communication. In particular, it presents novel techniques developed over the last two decades and explicates them both theoretically and by reference to experiments which demonstrate their principles in practice. The particular techniques explored include two-photon interferometry, two-photon optical aberration and dispersion cancellation, lithography, microscopy, and cryptography.
Quantum Networking
by Rodney Van MeterQuantum networks build on entanglement and quantum measurement to achieve tasks that are beyond the reach of classical systems. Using quantum effects, we can detect the presence of eavesdroppers, raise the sensitivity of scientific instruments such as telescopes, or teleport quantum data from one location to another. Long-distance entanglement can be used to execute important tasks such as Byzantine agreement and leader election in fewer rounds of communication than classical systems, improving the efficiency of operations that are critical in distributed systems.
Quantum Nonlinear Function Obfuscation Theory and Application
by Tao ShangThis book summarizes the main research results and preliminaries of quantum obfuscation and systematically introduces quantum obfuscation methods. Quantum obfuscation is an important and cross-cutting research topic in quantum cryptography and quantum computation. Quantum cryptography and quantum computation have made great progress in this century. However, academic research on the theory of quantum obfuscation is still at a blank stage. The author combines the theory of quantum computation and obfuscation and develop the theory of quantum obfuscation. Until now, a series of representative schemes have been proposed. From the viewpoint of quantum nonlinear function obfuscation, the author designs a series of quantum obfuscation schemes by means of combining obfuscation theory with quantum computation. Furthermore, the author describes the quantum cryptographic protocols based on quantum obfuscation. These methods will provide effective tools for the research and application of quantum cryptography.
Quantum Objects: Non-Local Correlation, Causality and Objective Indefiniteness in the Quantum World
by Gregg JaegerThis monograph identifies the essential characteristics of the objects described by current quantum theory and considers their relationship to space-time. In the process, it explicates the senses in which quantum objects may be consistently considered to have parts of which they may be composed or into which they may be decomposed. The book also demonstrates the degree to which reduction is possible in quantum mechanics, showing it to be related to the objective indefiniteness of quantum properties and the strong non-local correlations that can occur between the physical quantities of quantum subsystems. Careful attention is paid to the relationships among such property correlations, physical causation, probability, and symmetry in quantum theory. In this way, the text identifies and clarifies the conceptual grounds underlying the unique nature of many quantum phenomena.
Quantum Opto-Mechanics with Micromirrors
by Simon GröblacherQuantum effects in macroscopic systems have long been a fascination for researchers. Over the past decade mechanical oscillators have emerged as a leading system of choice for many such experiments. The work reported in this thesis investigates the effects of the radiation-pressure force of light on macroscopic mechanical structures. The basic system studied is a mechanical oscillator that is highly reflective and part of an optical resonator. It interacts with the optical cavity mode via the radiation-pressure force. Both the dynamics of the mechanical oscillation and the properties of the light field are modified through this interaction. The experiments use quantum optical tools (such as homodyning and down-conversion) with the goal of ultimately showing quantum behavior of the mechanical center of mass motion. Of particular value are the detailed descriptions of several novel experiments that pave the way towards this goal and are already shaping the field of quantum optomechanics, in particular optomechanical laser cooling and strong optomechanical coupling.