John Edward Gough

Squeezing Components in Linear Quantum Feedback Networks

The aim of this article is to extend linear quantum dynamical network theory to include static Bogoliubov components (such as squeezers). Within this integrated quantum network theory, we provide general methods for cascade or series connections, as well as feedback interconnections using linear fractional transformations. In addition, we define input-output maps and transfer functions for representing components and describing convergence. We also discuss the underlying group structure in this theory arising from series interconnection. Several examples illustrate the theory.

Quantum Feedback Networks: Hamiltonian Formulation

A quantum network is an open system consisting of several component Markovian input-output subsystems interconnected by boson field channels carrying quantum stochastic signals. Generalizing the work of Chebotarev and Gregoratti, we formulate the model description by prescribing a candidate Hamiltonian for the network including details of the component systems, the field channels, their interconnections, interactions and any time delays arising from the geometry of the network. (We show that the candidate is a symmetric operator and proceed modulo the proof of self- adjointness.) The model is non-Markovian for finite time delays, but in the limit where these delays vanish we recover a Markov model and thereby deduce the rules for introducing feedback into arbitrary quantum networks. The type of feedback considered includes that mediated by the use of beam splitters. We are therefore able to give a system-theoretic approach to introducing connections between quantum mechanical state-based input-output systems, and give a unifying treatment using non-commutative fractional linear, or Möbius, transformations.

Linear quantum feedback networks

Gough, J. E., Gohm, R., Yanagisawa, M. (2008). Linear quantum feedback networks. Physical Review A, 78 (6), Article No: 062104.

Enhancement of field squeezing using coherent feedback

The theory of quantum feedback networks has recently been developed with the aim of showing how quantum input-output components may be connected together so as to control, stabilize, or enhance the performance of one of the subcomponents. In this paper, we show how the degree to which an idealized component (a degenerate parametric amplifier in the strong-coupling regime) can squeeze input fields may be enhanced by placing the component in loop in a simple feedback mechanism involving a beam splitter. We study the spectral properties of output fields, placing particular emphasis on the elastic and inelastic components of the power density.

Quantum filtering for systems driven by fields in single-photon states or superposition of coherent states

We derive the stochastic master equations, that is to say, quantum filters, and master equations for an arbitrary quantum system probed by a continuous-mode bosonic input field in two types of non-classical states. Specifically, we consider the cases where the state of the input field is a superposition or combination of: (1) a continuous-mode single photon wave packet and vacuum, and (2) any number of continuous-mode coherent states.

Quantum Flows as Markovian Limit of Emission, Absorption and Scattering Interactions

This paper has been withdrawn by the author. The central result is now included in quant-ph/0309056 (as in the journal publication!). An erratum on the Heisenberg perturbation series estimate is also included therein.We consider a Markovian approximation, of weak coupling type, to an open system perturbation involving emission, absorption and scattering by reservoir quanta. The result is the general form for a quantum stochastic flow driven by creation, annihilation and gauge processes. A weak matrix limit is established for the convergence of the interaction-picture unitary to a unitary, adapted quantum stochastic process and of the Heisenberg dynamics to the corresponding quantum stochastic flow: the convergence strategy is similar to the quantum functional central limits introduced by Accardi, Frigerio and Lu [1]. The principal terms in the Dyson series expansions are identified and re-summed after the limit to obtain explicit quantum stochastic differential equations with renormalized coefficients. An extension of the Pulé inequalities [2] allows uniform estimates for the Dyson series expansion for both the unitary operator and the Heisenberg evolution to be obtained.

Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equations for quantum optimal feedback control

We exploit the separation of the filtering and control aspects of quantum feedback control to consider the optimal control as a classical stochastic problem on the space of quantum states. We derive the corresponding Hamilton?Jacobi?Bellman equations using the elementary arguments of classical control theory and show that this is equivalent, in the Stratonovich calculus, to a stochastic Hamilton?Pontryagin set-up. We show that, for cost functionals that are linear in the state, the theory yields the traditional Bellman equations treated so far in quantum feedback. A controlled qubit with a feedback is considered as example.

Quantum Stratonovich calculus and the quantum Wong-Zakai theorem

We extend the Itō-to-Stratonovich analysis or quantum stochastic differential equations, introduced by Gardiner and Collett for emission (creation), absorption (annihilation) processes, to include scattering (conservation) processes. Working within the framework of quantum stochastic calculus, we define Stratonovich calculus as an algebraic modification of the Itō one and give conditions for the existence of Stratonovich time-ordered exponentials. We show that conversion formula for the coefficients has a striking resemblance to Green’s function formulas from standard perturbation theory. We show that the calculus conveniently describes the Markov limit of regular open quantum dynamical systems in much the same way as in the Wong-Zakai approximation theorems of classical stochastic analysis. We extend previous limit results to multiple-dimensions with a proof that makes use of diagrammatic conventions.

On realization theory of quantum linear systems

The purpose of this paper is to study the realization theory of quantum linear systems. It is shown that for a general quantum linear system its controllability and observability are equivalent and they can be checked by means of a simple matrix rank condition. Based on controllability and observability a specific realization is proposed for general quantum linear systems in which an uncontrollable and unobservable subspace is identified. When restricted to the passive case, it is found that a realization is minimal if and only if it is Hurwitz stable. Computational methods are proposed to find the cardinality of minimal realizations of a quantum linear passive system. It is found that the transfer function G ( s ) of a quantum linear passive system can be written as a fractional form in terms of a matrix function Σ ( s ) ; moreover, G ( s ) is lossless bounded real if and only if Σ ( s ) is lossless positive real. A type of realization for multi-input-multi-output quantum linear passive systems is derived, which is related to its controllability and observability decomposition. Two realizations, namely the independent-oscillator realization and the chain-mode realization, are proposed for single-input-single-output quantum linear passive systems, and it is shown that under the assumption of minimal realization, the independent-oscillator realization is unique, and these two realizations are related to the lossless positive real matrix function Σ ( s ) .

Commutativity of the adiabatic elimination limit of fast oscillatory components and the instantaneous feedback limit in quantum feedback networks

We show that, for arbitrary quantum feedback networks consisting of several quantum mechanical components connected by quantum fields, the limit of adiabatic elimination of fast oscillator modes in the components and the limit of instantaneous transmission along internal quantum field connections commute. The underlying technique is to show that both limits involve a Schur complement procedure. The result shows that the frequently used approximations, for instance, to eliminate strongly coupled optical cavities, are mathematically consistent.