Fundamentals of Quantum Optics and Quantum Information [Hardcover]

This book is an introduction to the two closely related subjects of quantum optics and quantum information. The book gives a simple, self-contained introduction to both subjects, while illustrating the physical principles of quantum information processing using quantum optical systems. To make the book accessible to those with backgrounds other than physics, the authors also include a brief review of quantum mechanics. Furthermore, some aspects of quantum information, for example those pertaining to recent experiments on cavity QED and quantum dots, are described here for the first time in book form.

This book is an introduction to the closely related subjects of quantum optics and quantum information. It gives a simple, self-contained introduction to both, while illustrating the physical principles of quantum information processing using quantum optical systems.

Another book on Quantum Optics? or Quantum Information? Well, not - actly. A more descriptive title might be: A guided tour through basic qu- tum mechanics, quantum optics and quantum information. Even better, a few words on its origin and our motivation for undertaking the task might be useful to the potential reader in deciding whether to turn the pages beyond this preface. For more than ten years now, a graduate course on quantum optics has been taught in the physics department of the University of Crete. Spanning two semesters, it originally consisted of a collection of topics representative of what can be found in the numerous by now excellent books on quantum optics. Over the last four years or so,however, the course acquired a gradually increasing segment of what is broadly referred to as quantum information, whichatthispointisapproximatelyhalfofthematerial.Inevitably,thetopics on standard quantum optics had to be reduced or compressed accordingly.Quantum Optics.- Quantum Mechanical Background.- Quantum Theory of Radiation.- Atom in an External Radiation Field.- lcb