Seminar of the Institute of Experimental Physics of University of Wrocław
UWr, pl. Maksa Borna 9, sala im. J. Rzewuskiego
Nonlinear optics and the generation of entanglement
prof. Jan Soubusta
Uniwersytet Palackiego w Ołomuńcu, Czechy
Nonlinear optics has been developing for several decades and relies on the use of laser systems with coherent light. In recent years, it has become closely associated with research in quantum optical communications and quantum computing.
This lecture aims to cover the key properties of light-matter interaction necessary to understand nonlinear optical processes. The BBO (beta-barium borate) crystal is introduced as an ideal material for these interactions, and its parameters are discussed in detail. Using fundamental conservation laws, the condition for phase matching is derived, and the main types of nonlinear interactions are presented.
Today, nonlinear optical processes are commonly used to generate photon pairs that exhibit quantum correlations--an essential feature for quantum entanglement. The lecture concludes with a summary of other important aspects relevant to current applications.
