Emerging Connections: Quantum and Classical Optics

TL;DR

This paper discusses the evolving relationship between quantum and classical optics, highlighting how quantum features like entanglement are now observable and usable within classical optics, blurring traditional boundaries.

Contribution

It reviews the emerging understanding of quantum phenomena in classical optics and explores their implications for future research in the field.

Findings

Quantum entanglement can be observed in classical optics.

The classical-quantum boundary in optics is becoming increasingly blurred.

New research directions are opening in the study of optics.

Abstract

Quantum optics and classical optics have coexisted for nearly a century as two distinct, self-consistent descriptions of light. What influences there were between the two domains all tended to go in one direction, as concepts from classical optics were incorporated into quantum theory's early development. But it's becoming increasingly clear that a significant quantum presence exists in classical territory-and, in particular, that the quintessential quantum attribute, entanglement, can be seen, studied and exploited in classical optics. This blurring of the classical-quantum boundary has opened up a potential new direction for frontier work in optics.