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arXiv · 0910.2410

Optimizing the Signal to Noise Ratio of a Beam Deflection Measurement with Interferometric Weak Values

David J. Starling·P. Ben Dixon·Andrew N. Jordan·John C. Howell
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Abstract

The amplification obtained using weak values is quantified through a detailed investigation of the signal to noise ratio for an optical beam deflection measurement. We show that for a given deflection, input power and beam radius, the use of interferometric weak values allows one to obtain the optimum signal to noise ratio using a coherent beam. This method has the advantage of reduced technical noise and allows for the use of detectors with a low saturation intensity. We report on an experiment which improves the signal to noise ratio for a beam deflection measurement by a factor of 54 when compared to a measurement using the same beam size and a quantum limited detector.

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David J. Starling, P. Ben Dixon, Andrew N. Jordan, John C. Howell. 2009-10-13. Optimizing the Signal to Noise Ratio of a Beam Deflection Measurement with Interferometric Weak Values. https://doi.org/10.1103/physreva.80.041803

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