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1994

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November

  

Reviews of topical problems


Quantum optics: quantum, classical, and metaphysical aspects


Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Physics, Leninskie Gory 1 build. 2, Moscow, 119991, Russian Federation

Presented below is the critical review of the modern optical experiments devoted to the demonstration of the quantum nature of light and which reveal the properties of photons. The three main languages used for the description of such demonstration experiments are described and compared: the formal quantum language Q, which enables calculation of all averaged experimental data; the classical or semiclassical language C, which allows a visual qualitative description of some effects; the metaphysical language M, which uses vaguely defined terms (such as photons, their duality, quantum nonlocality, etc.) and provides no new observable results, but claims to offer the most profound reflection of the quantum-optical phenomena. It is proposed to distinguish the three types of photons: Q-photon (the Fock state with n=1), C-photon (the classical wave packet), and M-photon (the hypothetical elementary particle producing discrete pulses at the photon detector output, and which has not yet been defined in the framework of any consistent theory).

Fulltext pdf (769 KB)
Fulltext is also available at DOI: 10.1070/PU1994v037n11ABEH000054
PACS: 42.50.−p
DOI: 10.1070/PU1994v037n11ABEH000054
URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/1994/11/c/
A1994QB04700003
Citation: Klyshko D N "Quantum optics: quantum, classical, and metaphysical aspects" Phys. Usp. 37 1097–1122 (1994)
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Оригинал: Клышко Д Н «Квантовая оптика: квантовые, классические и метафизические аспекты» УФН 164 1187–1214 (1994); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.0164.199411c.1187

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