976 publications from this institution
We consider the Bennett-Brassard cryptographic scheme, which uses two conjugate quantum bases. An eavesdropper who attempts to obtain information on qubits sent in one of the bases causes a disturbance to qubits sent in the other basis. We derive an upper bound to the accessible information in one basis, for a given error rate in the conjugate basis. Independently fixing the error rate in the conjugate bases, we show that both bounds can be attained simultaneously by an optimal eavesdropping probe, consisting of two qubits. The qubits' interaction and their subsequent measurement are described explicitly. These results are combined to give an expression for the optimal information an eavesdropper can obtain for a given average disturbance when her interaction and measurements are performed signal by signal. Finally, the relation between quantum cryptography and violations of Bell's inequalities is discussed.
No abstract is provided for this article.
An upper bound for the fidelity of quantum teleportation explainable by local hidden variables is derived. This bound is larger than the fidelity corresponding to product states, i.e. to local quantum states. This is relevant for the study of mixed states. In particular, the fidelity of Werner's mixed state, known to be larger than the fidelity of product states, is found to be smaller than the fidelity explainable by local hidden variables. Hence the fidelity of Werner's mixed state does not exhibit nonclassical aspects.
Any Bell test consists of a sequence of measurements on a quantum state in spacelike separated regions. Thus, a state is better than others for a Bell test when, for the optimal measurements and the same number of trials, the probability of existence of a local model for the observed outcomes is smaller. The maximization over states and measurements defines the optimal nonlocality proof. Numerical results show that the required optimal state does not have to be maximally entangled.
No abstract is provided for this article.
Characterization of single-mode optical fibers requires a basis for time, wavelength and polarization.Parametric downconversion in non-linear crystals naturally provide pairs of photons extremelyhighly correlated in time, energy (thus wavelength) and polarization. It is thus tempting to exploresuch photon pairs for fiber and fiber device characterization. Historically, entangled photon pairswhere first used in delicate tests of quantum mechanics [1]. Indeed, their correlation is higher thanclassically possible! However, nowaday photon pair sources can be made cheap and compact enoughto offer practical alternatives for many of the traditional measurement schemes. In addition photonpairs provide entirely new possibilities and open the door to new developments in metrology. Thepurpose of this contribution is first to present some concrete proposals and results along the abovelines, and next to draw the attention of the audience to these rather revolutionary new combinationsof quantum optics and communication.
It is known that all causal correlations between two parties which output each 1 bit, a and b, when receiving each 1 bit, x and y, can be expressed as convex combinations of local correlations (i.e., correlations that can be simulated with local random variables) and nonlocal correlations of the form a+b=xy mod 2. We show that a single instance of the latter elementary nonlocal correlation suffices to simulate exactly all possible projective measurements that can be performed on a maximally entangled state of two qubits, with no communication needed at all. This elementary nonlocal correlation thus defines some unit of nonlocality, which we call a nl bit.
We consider the action of a heat bath on one particle of a pair of spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ particles in a singlet state. The related relaxation effects are described by the Pauli master equation. We show that the density matrix of the two-particle system tends toward a product. The interpretation of this result is, however, complicated by the nonuniqueness of the decomposition of a given density matrix into pure states. To circumvent this difficulty we study separately the terms describing the fluctuations and the friction. The first one does not modify the correlations, although it screens them but the second one separates the systems. The action of a fluctuating magnetic field on one particle of a correlated pair is also investigated.
No abstract is provided for this article.
InGaAs/InP avalanche photodiodes operated in the so-called Geiger mode currently represent the best solution to detect single-photon beyond 900nm. They cover the 1100–1650nm wavelength interval, which includes in particular the two windows used for optical communications (1310 and 1550nm). A detection efficiency at 1550nm of 10% with a dark count probability of 10−5 ns−1 is common, although significant variations can be encountered. At this efficiency, a FWHM temporal response of 300 ps can be achieved. Afterpulses caused by charges trapped by defects in the high field region of the junction constitute the main performance impairment phenomenon. They enhance the dark count probability and reduce out-of-gate detector blindness. These photon counting detectors can be used in optical time-domain reflectometry to improve the spatial resolution and reduce dead-zone effects. Quantum key distribution over metropolitan area networks also constitutes an important application.
