The Virtual Quantum Optics Laboratory

TL;DR

The Virtual Quantum Optics Laboratory (VQOL) is a web-based simulation tool that enables realistic quantum optics experiment design, visualization, and analysis, supporting both educational and research applications.

Contribution

VQOL introduces a comprehensive, user-friendly platform with non-Gaussian measurement modeling, enhancing simulation fidelity for quantum optics experiments.

Findings

Faithfully simulates quantum optics phenomena

Supports non-Gaussian measurements with threshold detectors

Serves as educational and research tool

Abstract

We present a web-based software tool, the Virtual Quantum Optics Laboratory (VQOL), that may be used for designing and executing realistic simulations of quantum optics experiments. A graphical user interface allows one to rapidly build and configure a variety of different optical experiments, while the runtime environment provides unique capabilities for visualization and analysis. All standard linear optical components are available as well as sources of thermal, coherent, and entangled Gaussian states. A unique aspect of VQOL is the introduction of non-Gaussian measurements using detectors modeled as deterministic devices that "click" when the amplitude of the light falls above a given threshold. We describe the underlying theoretical models and provide several illustrative examples. We find that VQOL provides a a faithful representation of many experimental quantum optics phenomena and may serve as both a useful instructional tool for students as well as a valuable research tool for practitioners.