Quantum Squeezing, a new book by two University of Queensland researchers that presents the first comprehensive overview of this hot topic in quantum physics, will be launched today.
Edited by Professor Peter Drummond and Dr Zbyszek Ficek from the Centre of Excellence for Quantum-Atom Optics, Quantum Squeezing explains the latest developments in this field, emphasising the enormous progress made over the past two decades in controlling quantum fluctuations, which are the origin of all quantum mysteries and paradoxes.
The relatively new area of squeezing in quantum fields encompasses all types of systems in which quantum fluctuations are reduced below those in the normal vacuum state. This technique can be used in technologies that have very precise measurements such as satellite navigation systems.
“The secret of these developments is good old horse-trading. Quantum mechanics allows precise measurement of one quantity, provided the fluctuations increase in another,” Professor Drummond said.
Quantum Squeezing will be launched at the UQ node of the Australian Research Council’s Centre of Excellence for Quantum-Atom Optics on Monday, November 22 at 4pm, in the Conference Room 237, Building 6, at the St Lucia campus.
The book covers the field of quantum squeezing from the early ideas to the most recent developments, from generating squeezing to applying it.
It provides a unique contribution to the field by the foremost international experts responsible for some of the chief developments in quantum squeezing.
“All physical measurements are subject to fluctuations. Even if the known sources of noise are eliminated, as in a perfect vacuum, there are fluctuations according to quantum theory,” Professor Drummond said.
“These are called quantum fluctuations and impose a fundamental limit on any measurements in science.
“Over the past two decades theoretical studies followed closely by experimental measurements have shown how quantum fluctuations can be reduced and even completely suppressed.
“This has become a new subject, now known as quantum squeezing.”
Both theory and experiments are covered in the book, together with applications to communications and measurement.
Dr Ficek said over the past 20 years the various techniques and applications of the field of quantum squeezing had metamorphosed into a central tool used in the wider areas of quantum spectroscopy and quantum information.
“This is a rapidly changing research field and the areas of applications, in particular, are the most rapidly changing of them all,” Dr Ficek said.
Media: for more information, contact Diane Hutton (telephone 07 3365 3427), Professor Peter Drummond (telephone 07 3365 3404, email: drummond@physics.uq.edu.au), Zbyszek Ficek (telephone 07 3365 2331, email: ficek@physics.uq.edu.au) or Chris Saxby at UQ Communications (telephone 07 3365 2479, email: c.saxby@uq.edu.au).
