Abstract:
We demonstrate that it is possible to choose an optimal
signal mode for state reconstruction when performing
quantum-state tomography with array detectors. The mode
optimization is done during the data analysis (i.e., after
all the data have been collected.) We develop theoretically
a procedure for finding the mode that satisfies a criterion
which is quadratic in field operators; as examples we
explicitly show how to maximize the average photon number,
or the amount of quadrature squeezing. We experimentally
demonstrate the technique by finding the mode which
maximizes the average photon number for coherent-state
signal beams occupying both linear and sinusoidal modes.
©2003 The American Physical Society