1. Optical nonclassicality test based on third-order intensity correlations
- Author
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Rigovacca, L., Kolthammer, W. S., Di Franco, C., and Kim, M. S.
- Subjects
Quantum Physics ,Physics - Optics - Abstract
We develop a nonclassicality criterion for the interference of three delayed, but otherwise identical, light fields in a three-mode Bell interferometer. We do so by comparing the prediction of quantum mechanics with those of a classical framework in which independent sources emit electric fields with random phases. In particular, we evaluate third-order correlations among output intensities as a function of the delays, and show how the presence of a correlation revival for small delays cannot be explained by the classical model of light. The observation of a revival is thus a nonclassicality signature, which can be achieved only by sources with a photon-number statistics that is highly sub-Poissonian. Our analysis provides strong evidence for the nonclassicality of the experiment discussed by Menssen et al. [Menssen et al., Phys. Rev. Lett, 118, 153603 (2017)], and shows how a collective "triad" phase affects the interference of any three or more light fields, irrespective of their quantum or classical character., Comment: 11+1 pages, 4 figures, close to published version more...
- Published
- 2017
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