58吃瓜

PH5012 Quantum Optics

Academic year

2026 to 2027 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Normally only taken in the final year of an MPhys or MSci programme involving the School

Module coordinator

Prof N Korolkova

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

Quantum optics is the theory of light that unifies wave and particle optics. Quantum optics describes modern high-precision experiments that often probe the very fundamentals of quantum mechanics. The module introduces the quantisation of light, the concept of single light modes, the various quantum states of light and their description in phase space. The module considers the quantum effects of simple optical instruments and analyses two important fundamental experiments: quantum-state tomography and simultaneous measurements of position and momentum.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST ( PASS PH3081 OR PASS PH3082 OR PASS MT2506 AND PASS MT2507 ) AND PASS PH3061 AND PASS PH3062 AND PASS PH4028

Assessment pattern

2-hour Written Examination = 100%

Re-assessment

Oral Re-assessment, capped at grade 7

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

3 lectures or tutorials

Scheduled learning hours

30

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

120

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • By the end of the module, the student will be able to explain the quantisation of the electromagnetic field and articulate how light modes are described in quantum optics.
  • By the end of the module, the student will be able to introduce key operators in quantum optics. Introduce key quantum states of light鈥攊ncluding coherent, squeezed, and Fock states鈥攁nd describe their representations in phase space.
  • By the end of the module, the student will be able to analyse the quantum behaviour of simple optical instruments, identifying how quantum effects modify or extend classical predictions.
  • By the end of the module, the student will be able to apply phase鈥憇pace formalisms to describe and interpret the properties of quantum optical states.
  • By the end of the module, the student will be able to understand basic irreversible dynamics based on Lindblad theorem. Evaluate absorption and amplification processes in quantum optics including parametric amplifier.
  • By the end of the module, the student will be able to evaluate and interpret quantum鈥憇tate tomography experiments, including reconstruction of quantum states from measurement data. Understand quantum entanglement of light modes and evaluate quantum information protocols based on it, like quantum teleportation and non-locality tests.

Additional information from school

For guidance on AS and PH modules please consult the School Handbook at /physics-astronomy/students/ug/timetables-handbooks/