New Journal of Physics (Jan 2012)

Quantum polarization characterization and tomography

  • J Söderholm,
  • G Björk,
  • A B Klimov,
  • L L Sánchez-Soto,
  • G Leuchs

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/14/11/115014
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 11
p. 115014

Abstract

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We present a complete polarization characterization of any quantum state of two orthogonal polarization modes and give a systematic measurement procedure to collect the necessary data. Full characterization requires measurements of the photon number in both modes and linear optics. In the case where only the photon-number difference can be determined, a limited but useful characterization is obtained. The characteristic Stokes moment profiles are given for several common quantum states.