Planck Spectroscopy and Quantum Noise of Microwave Beam Splitters

M. Mariantoni, E. P. Menzel, F. Deppe, M. Á. Araque Caballero, A. Baust, T. Niemczyk, E. Hoffmann, E. Solano, A. Marx, and R. Gross
Phys. Rev. Lett. 105, 133601 – Published 20 September 2010

Abstract

We use a correlation function analysis of the field quadratures to characterize both the blackbody radiation emitted by a 50Ω load resistor and the quantum properties of two types of beam splitters in the microwave regime. To this end, we first study vacuum fluctuations as a function of frequency in a Planck spectroscopy experiment and then measure the covariance matrix of weak thermal states. Our results provide direct experimental evidence that vacuum fluctuations represent the fundamental minimum quantum noise added by a beam splitter to any given input signal.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 16 March 2010

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.105.133601

© 2010 The American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

M. Mariantoni1,2,*, E. P. Menzel1,2, F. Deppe1,2, M. Á. Araque Caballero1,2, A. Baust1,2, T. Niemczyk1,2, E. Hoffmann1,2, E. Solano3,4, A. Marx1, and R. Gross1,2,†

  • 1Walther-Meißner-Institut, Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften, D-85748 Garching, Germany
  • 2Physik-Department, Technische Universität München, D-85748 Garching, Germany
  • 3Departamento de Química Física, Universidad del País Vasco-Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, 48080 Bilbao, Spain
  • 4IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Alameda Urquijo 36, 48011 Bilbao, Spain

  • *Present address: Department of Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA. matmar@physics.ucsb.edu
  • Rudolf.Gross@wmi.badw.de

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 105, Iss. 13 — 24 September 2010

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×