Quantum optical processes: from basics to applications

This book is a self-contained guide to the world of quantum optical processes which addresses different aspects relevant in quantum optics and quantum information. The basic descriptions, measurement techniques, possible sources, nonclassical features, practical implications and applications of the quantization of light and its interaction with matter, are explored. The observed quantum properties such as coherent superposition, entanglement, nonlocality, decoherence and no-cloning, are discussed. The quantum optical processes such as continuous variable entanglement swapping, teleportation and telecloning from which follow the practical aspects such as quantum gate operations, cryptography and error correction are considered. In turn, the advantages and inherent challenges including the foresight in implementing continuous variable quantum communication and computation protocols are highlighted. The author gives a concise background with corresponding applications, the necessary mathematical derivation, simplified examples, illustrations and demonstrations, and the relative interpretations and outlooks. This book is intended to serve a multi-disciplinary readership, namely the atomic physics and quantum optics communities who seek to extend their research to applications, especially, to the field of quantum information processing as well as the theoretical quantum information community who builds up research on physically realizable systems such as optical setups and various atomic schemes. The content of this book also attracts other communities such as photonics who seeks to link research with continuous variable quantum information processing.