Bridging the gap between discrete- and continuous-variable quantum optical informatio

I will present a series of experiments in which we create, manipulate, and characterize new quantum states of the electromagnetic field for applications inĀ  quantum information processing. Our approach is unique in the way it applies homodyne tomography, a continuous-variable method of quantum state measurement to traditionally discrete-variable ensembles (photons and optical qubits). This method, based on phase-sensitive measurements of quantum noise statistics of the electromagnetic field, is technically more challenging, but provides much more accurate information about optical ensembles than traditional photon-counting based techniques. By applying our approach to more and more complex quantum optical states, we not only develop new tools of quantum information technology, but also answer some important questions of fundamental nature.