Fundamental questions in quantum optics

Fundamental questions in quantum optics

Abstract

We analyze non-classical correlations and entanglement of photons emitted by independent sources in free space using canonical or generalized Bell inequalities. Amongst others, we demonstrate the entanglement of dead and unborn photons, i.e., of photons that do not overlap in time. We further examine wave-particle duality in interferometers, derive generalized Heisenberg uncertainties, and investigate higher-order quantum interference.

Selected Publications

• Saruhan Eİ., von Zanthier J., Pleinert MO.:
  Multipath and Multiparticle Tests of Complex versus Hypercomplex Quantum Theory
  In: Physical Review Letters 134 (2025), Art.Nr.: 060201
  ISSN: 0031-9007
  DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.134.060201
• Pleinert MO., Rueda Sanchez AR., Lutz E., von Zanthier J.:
  Testing Higher-Order Quantum Interference with Many-Particle States
  In: Physical Review Letters 126 (2021), Art.Nr.: 190401
  ISSN: 0031-9007
  DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.126.190401
• Pleinert MO., von Zanthier J., Lutz E.:
  Many-particle interference to test Born's rule
  In: Physical Review Research 2 (2020), Art.Nr.: 012051(R)
  ISSN: 2643-1564
  DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevResearch.2.012051
• Pelka K., Graf J., Mehringer T., von Zanthier J.:
  Prime number decomposition using the Talbot effect
  In: Optics Express 26 (2018), S. 15009-15014
  ISSN: 1094-4087
  DOI: 10.1364/OE.26.015009
• Schilling U., von Zanthier J.:
  Phase-dependent which-way information
  In: Physics Letters A 376 (2012), S. 3479-3484
  ISSN: 0375-9601
  DOI: 10.1016/j.physleta.2012.10.019