Continuum fields in quantum optics

Abstract

We formulate the quantum theory of optical wave propagation without recourse to cavity quantization. This approach avoids the introduction of a box-related mode spacing and enables us to use a continuum frequency space description. We introduce a complete orthonormal set of operators that can describe states of finite energy. The set is countable and the operators have all the usual properties of the single-mode frequency operators. With use of these operators a generalization of the single-mode normal-ordering theorem is proved. We discuss the inclusion of material dispersion and pulse propagation in an optical fiber. Finally, we consider the process of photodetection in free space, concluding with a discussion of homodyne detection with both local oscillator and signal fields pulsed.