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Photonics
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Quantum Optics: Communication, Sensing, Computing, and Simulation
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Quantum Optics: Communication, Sensing, Computing, and Simulation

A special issue of Photonics (ISSN 2304-6732). This special issue belongs to the section "Quantum Photonics and Technologies".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2026 | Viewed by 3810

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Peng Xu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Quantum Information and Technology, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing 210003, China
Interests: quantum optimal and continuous measurement; quantum feedback operation; superconducting qubits; quantum simulation; quantum computation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Dong Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Physics and Optoelectronics Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei, China
Interests: quantum information and computing; quantum optics
Dr. Wei Xiong

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Physics, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
Interests: cavity QED; magnon/spin wave; cavity optomechanics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Quantum optics has emerged as one of the most dynamic frontiers in modern physics, simultaneously advancing fundamental science and enabling transformative technologies. By harnessing the quantum properties of light and its interactions with matter, this field provides deep insights into coherence, entanglement, and measurement processes, while also laying the foundation for novel quantum information technologies. Recent progress in nonclassical light sources, high-fidelity detection methods, and engineered quantum systems is driving significant advances in quantum communication, quantum simulation, quantum sensing, and scalable quantum computing.

This Special Issue seeks to highlight cutting-edge developments in quantum optics and related areas of quantum information science, encompassing both theoretical research and experimental realizations. We invite original research articles, comprehensive reviews, and perspectives that address new concepts, experimental breakthroughs, and emerging applications. The scope is intentionally broad, ranging from foundational studies of light–matter interactions to practical implementations of quantum technologies. Our aim is to provide a platform for disseminating innovative results, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and accelerating the transition of quantum optical research into real-world applications across physics, information science, and engineering.

Dr. Peng Xu
Prof. Dr. Dong Wang
Dr. Wei Xiong
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Photonics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • quantum optics
  • quantum communication
  • quantum sensing and metrology
  • quantum simulation
  • quantum computation
  • quantum measurement and control

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

35 pages, 2859 KB  
Article
Laser Linewidth Effects in Continuous-Variable QKD: Simulation-Based Analysis and Optimization Guidelines for Defense-Grade Secure System
by Seyed Saman Mahjour and Fernando M. Araújo-Moreira
Photonics 2026, 13(5), 432; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics13050432 - 27 Apr 2026
Viewed by 272
Abstract
Continuous-Variable Quantum Key Distribution (CV-QKD) offers practical advantages for secure communication, but laser linewidth-induced phase noise remains a critical performance limitation. This work presents a comprehensive simulation-based analysis quantifying the impact of laser linewidth on secret key rate (SKR) in Gaussian-modulated coherent-state CV-QKD [...] Read more.
Continuous-Variable Quantum Key Distribution (CV-QKD) offers practical advantages for secure communication, but laser linewidth-induced phase noise remains a critical performance limitation. This work presents a comprehensive simulation-based analysis quantifying the impact of laser linewidth on secret key rate (SKR) in Gaussian-modulated coherent-state CV-QKD systems. We develop a detailed noise model incorporating detector electronics, Raman scattering, phase recovery, ADC quantization, and laser relative intensity noise. Through systematic parameter sweeps spanning linewidths from 10 Hz to 250 kHz, modulation variances from 1 to 20 SNU, and fiber distances up to 100 km, we identify three distinct operational regimes and optimization strategies for both transmitted local oscillator (TLO) and local–local oscillator (LLO) configurations under homodyne and heterodyne detection. Results show that metropolitan-scale links (50 km) require linewidths below 5 kHz to maintain secure operation, with performance decreasing beyond 25 kHz. We demonstrate that modulation variance must be jointly optimized with laser quality, with optimal values decreasing from 3–4 SNU at narrow linewidths to 2–2.5 SNU at moderate linewidths. The analysis reveals asymmetric sensitivity in LLO systems where local oscillator linewidth degrades performance more strongly than signal laser linewidth. These quantitative findings provide practical design guidelines for achieving secure CV-QKD operation over metropolitan distances with realistic hardware constraints, supporting deployment of defense-grade quantum communication networks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quantum Optics: Communication, Sensing, Computing, and Simulation)
12 pages, 5834 KB  
Article
Quantitative Phase Factor Retrieval from Single-Shot Off-Axis Interferograms for Object Reconstruction
by Jialing Chen, Zixi Yu, Jianglong Lei, Yuanxiang Wang and Qingli Jing
Photonics 2026, 13(5), 412; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics13050412 - 23 Apr 2026
Viewed by 248
Abstract
In the far-field approximation, an object’s diffraction field can be expressed as its Fourier transform multiplied by a phase factor. Here, we present a simple method with which to directly retrieve this phase factor from a single-shot off-axis interference pattern. By exploiting and [...] Read more.
In the far-field approximation, an object’s diffraction field can be expressed as its Fourier transform multiplied by a phase factor. Here, we present a simple method with which to directly retrieve this phase factor from a single-shot off-axis interference pattern. By exploiting and adjusting its unique two-dimensional quadratic form, the quadratic contribution from the object’s Fourier transform can generally be neglected, particularly for amplitude-only objects and slowly varying phase objects. The phase factor is extracted by fitting a quadratic surface to the unwrapped phase obtained via Fourier-transform-based phase retrieval. Removing this factor enables precise reconstruction through a straightforward inverse Fourier transform, without requiring iterative computations. Compared with conventional far-field diffraction setups, our approach reduces system length and allows the use of smaller CCD sensors. Experimental validation using a modified Mach–Zehnder interferometer demonstrates high reconstruction accuracy and robustness. Overall, this method provides an efficient, practical, and real-time solution for object reconstruction, with the potential to simplify and miniaturize optical setups, offering an alternative approach to standard coherent diffraction imaging techniques. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quantum Optics: Communication, Sensing, Computing, and Simulation)
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17 pages, 4621 KB  
Article
Perfectly Nonreciprocal Diffraction of 1D Atomic Lattices with Geometrical and Structural Disorders
by Yao-Long Xie, Tao Shui, Xuan-Xue Luo, Qiu-Ping Lu, Xu Deng and Wen-Xing Yang
Photonics 2026, 13(4), 345; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics13040345 - 2 Apr 2026
Viewed by 344
Abstract
Geometrical and structural disorders are inevitable in fabricated photonic structures and can significantly impact their optical performance. Here, we investigate the robustness of perfectly nonreciprocal diffraction (PND) against these two types of disorder in one-dimensional (1D) atomic lattices. The significantly distinct diffraction phenomenon [...] Read more.
Geometrical and structural disorders are inevitable in fabricated photonic structures and can significantly impact their optical performance. Here, we investigate the robustness of perfectly nonreciprocal diffraction (PND) against these two types of disorder in one-dimensional (1D) atomic lattices. The significantly distinct diffraction phenomenon can be uncovered when the optical lattices introduce controlled random perturbations into the geometrical and structural parameters of each lattice site. Our results demonstrate that the forward diffraction spectrum exhibits remarkable resilience to both disorder types. Conversely, the backward diffraction spectrum is highly sensitive, displaying distinct responses to uncorrelated and correlated disorders. Specifically, PND persists only below a critical strength for uncorrelated geometrical disorder but is well preserved under correlated geometrical disorder. In stark contrast, PND shows strong robustness against uncorrelated structural disorder yet is significantly degraded by its correlated counterpart. These contrasting phenomena are attributed to whether the disorder introduces random spatial phase shifts that disrupt the destructive interference underlying PND. Our findings provide fundamental insights into wave transport in disordered potentials and offer a pathway for designing robust nonreciprocal devices resilient to fabrication imperfections. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quantum Optics: Communication, Sensing, Computing, and Simulation)
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13 pages, 871 KB  
Article
Trough-Shift Pointer for Weak Measurement with Large Range and High Spectral Resolution
by Wenzhao Huang, Zifu Su, Weiqian Zhao, Yafei Yu, Jindong Wang and Zhengjun Wei
Photonics 2026, 13(4), 336; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics13040336 - 30 Mar 2026
Viewed by 448
Abstract
Weak measurement enables the amplification of weak physical effects via post-selection and has become an important tool in precision optical metrology; however, conventional schemes based on mean-pointer shifts suffer from response saturation, limited linear range, and stringent stability requirements. Here, we propose and [...] Read more.
Weak measurement enables the amplification of weak physical effects via post-selection and has become an important tool in precision optical metrology; however, conventional schemes based on mean-pointer shifts suffer from response saturation, limited linear range, and stringent stability requirements. Here, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a weak-measurement scheme based on spectral-interference trough shifts, where the zero-intensity points of the post-selected spectrum act as the measurement pointer, establishing an analytical mapping between the trough displacement and the target phase or time delay. Theoretical analysis shows that, under detector resolution limits, the measurement resolution depends solely on the frequency of extinction point and is independent of weak-value singular amplification or bias-phase modulation, thereby maintaining high sensitivity while avoiding pointer saturation. Experiments demonstrate that the trough-shift scheme achieves significantly better agreement between measured and theoretical sensitivities than biased weak measurement and provides a stable linear response without additional bias-compensation structures, reaching a minimum resolvable phase variation at the 10−7 level. Moreover, the approach intrinsically supports multi-period traceable measurements and exhibits strong robustness against intensity fluctuations and spectral distortions, offering a promising route toward high-sensitivity, large-dynamic-range, and stable weak measurement-based optical sensing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quantum Optics: Communication, Sensing, Computing, and Simulation)
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14 pages, 2367 KB  
Article
Efficient Multipartite Energy Transfer Based on Strongly Coupled Topological Cavities
by Jun Ren, Jinhua Li, Ya Liu and Yujing Wang
Photonics 2026, 13(2), 203; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics13020203 - 19 Feb 2026
Viewed by 356
Abstract
Efficient and robust energy transfer is fundamental to quantum information processing and light-harvesting technologies. However, conventional systems are often limited by short interaction ranges and high susceptibility to environmental disorder. In this study, we propose and theoretically investigate a topologically protected tripartite energy [...] Read more.
Efficient and robust energy transfer is fundamental to quantum information processing and light-harvesting technologies. However, conventional systems are often limited by short interaction ranges and high susceptibility to environmental disorder. In this study, we propose and theoretically investigate a topologically protected tripartite energy transfer system based on photonic crystal nanocavities. By utilizing topological corner states as localized interaction nodes and edge states as robust transmission channels, we construct a platform that mediates energy exchange among three distinct quantum emitters. Using the Lindblad master equation formalism, we analyze the spectral dependence of coupling strengths and transfer dynamics. Our results demonstrate that coherent coupling between nearest neighbors is the dominant mechanism driving high-efficiency transport, whereas next-nearest-neighbor interactions can induce destructive interference. Furthermore, compared to bipartite systems, the tripartite configuration exhibits an enhanced cumulative probability for charge separation. Crucially, numerical simulations confirm that the energy transfer efficiency and time remain virtually unaffected by random structural disorder or sharp interface bends, unequivocally validating the topological protection of the system. These findings establish a robust blueprint for scalable quantum interconnects and integrated photonic circuitry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quantum Optics: Communication, Sensing, Computing, and Simulation)
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14 pages, 1735 KB  
Article
Entanglement Negativity and Exceptional-Point Signatures in a PT-Symmetric Non-Hermitian XY Dimer: Parameter Regimes and Directional-Coupler Mapping
by Linzhi Jiang, Weicheng Miao, Wen-Yang Sun and Wenchao Ma
Photonics 2025, 12(12), 1239; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics12121239 - 18 Dec 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 730
Abstract
We investigate a non-Hermitian two-spin XY model driven by alternating real and imaginary transverse fields and derive an explicit analytic formula for the ground-state entanglement negativity. This provides a systematic analytic characterization of how ground-state entanglement behaves across PT-symmetry breaking in a non-Hermitian [...] Read more.
We investigate a non-Hermitian two-spin XY model driven by alternating real and imaginary transverse fields and derive an explicit analytic formula for the ground-state entanglement negativity. This provides a systematic analytic characterization of how ground-state entanglement behaves across PT-symmetry breaking in a non-Hermitian spin dimer. In the PT-symmetric regime, the anisotropy γ enhances entanglement, whereas the real field h0 suppresses it; in the PT-broken regime dominated by φ3, the negativity decreases monotonically with the imaginary field η0. Moreover, the first derivative of the negativity exhibits a cusp-type non-analyticity at the exceptional point (EP), consistent with the ground-state phase boundary and revealing a direct correspondence between entanglement transitions and exceptional-point physics. To facilitate implementation in integrated quantum photonics, we map h0,η0,γ onto the device parameters Δβ,g,κ of a PT-symmetric directional coupler and propose a two-qubit quantum state tomography readout based on local Pauli measurements, thereby offering a concrete entanglement-based probe of exceptional-point signatures in a realistic photonic platform. Within this model, we identify parameter regimes for observing this signature: a cusp feature is expected near Δβ≈0 and g≈κ, which remains observable under small detuning and moderate loss mismatch. These results offer a testable avenue for entanglement-based probing of PT-symmetry breaking and may inform device characterization and quantitative assessment in integrated quantum photonics. These combined advances provide both analytical insight into non-Hermitian entanglement structure and a feasible route toward experimentally diagnosing PT-symmetry breaking using entanglement. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quantum Optics: Communication, Sensing, Computing, and Simulation)
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11 pages, 1020 KB  
Article
Coherent Perfect Absorption in a Parametric Cavity-Ensemble System
by Zi-Wei Li, Yan-Xue Cheng, Ying-Xia Wu, Jiaojiao Chen and Wei Xiong
Photonics 2025, 12(11), 1135; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics12111135 - 17 Nov 2025
Viewed by 666
Abstract
We propose a scheme to achieve CPA not only in the strong-coupling regime but also in the weak-coupling regime. The system under consideration consists of an atomic ensemble coupled to an optical cavity containing an optical parametric amplifier (OPA). We show that when [...] Read more.
We propose a scheme to achieve CPA not only in the strong-coupling regime but also in the weak-coupling regime. The system under consideration consists of an atomic ensemble coupled to an optical cavity containing an optical parametric amplifier (OPA). We show that when the OPA introduces an effective loss, CPA can occur only in the strong-coupling regime. In contrast, when the OPA provides an effective gain, CPA can emerge in both the weak- and strong-coupling regimes. We further demonstrate that in the weak-coupling regime, CPA cannot occur within the bistable region, whereas in the strong-coupling regime, CPA can indeed appear in the bistable region. Moreover, the output intensity can be flexibly controlled by tuning the effective strength and the phase of the OPA. Our work opens a potential way to design a coherent perfect absorber based on weak coupling mechanism. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Quantum Optics: Communication, Sensing, Computing, and Simulation)
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