Loss asymmetries in quantum travelling wave parametric amplifiers

TL;DR

This paper investigates how asymmetric loss at different frequencies affects the performance of quantum travelling wave parametric amplifiers, revealing that loss asymmetries increase noise and can destroy squeezing while preserving entanglement.

Contribution

It provides a theoretical analysis of the effects of frequency-dependent loss asymmetries on amplification, squeezing, and entanglement in quantum parametric amplifiers, a novel aspect not previously studied.

Findings

Loss asymmetries increase added noise.

Small loss asymmetries can destroy quantum squeezing.

Entanglement remains despite loss asymmetries.

Abstract

We study theoretically how loss impacts the amplification and squeezing performance of a generic quantum travelling wave parametric amplifier. Unlike previous studies, we analyze how having different levels of loss at signal and idler frequencies can dramatically alter properties compared to the case of frequency-independent loss. We find that loss asymmetries increase the amplifier's added noise in comparison to the symmetric loss case. More surprisingly, even small levels of loss asymmetry can completely destroy any quantum squeezing of symmetric collective output quadratures, while nonetheless leaving the output state strongly entangled.