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Related Concept Videos

Oscillations In An LC Circuit01:30

Oscillations In An LC Circuit

An idealized LC circuit of zero resistance can oscillate without any source of emf by shifting the energy stored in the circuit between the electric and magnetic fields. In such an LC circuit, if the capacitor contains a charge q before the switch is closed, then all the energy of the circuit is initially stored in the electric field of the capacitor. This energy is given by
Standing Electromagnetic Waves01:15

Standing Electromagnetic Waves

Electromagnetic waves can be reflected; the surface of a conductor or a dielectric can act as a reflector. As electric and magnetic fields obey the superposition principle, so do electromagnetic waves. The superposition of an incident wave and a reflected electromagnetic wave produces a standing wave analogous to the standing waves created on a stretched string.
Suppose a sheet of a perfect conductor is placed in the yz-plane, and a linearly polarized electromagnetic wave traveling in the...
RLC Circuit as a Damped Oscillator01:30

RLC Circuit as a Damped Oscillator

An RLC circuit combines a resistor, inductor, and capacitor, connected in a series or parallel combination.
Consider a series RLC circuit. Here, the presence of resistance in the circuit leads to energy loss due to joule heating in the resistance. Therefore, the total electromagnetic energy in the circuit is no longer constant and decreases with time. Since the magnitude of charge, current, and potential difference continuously decreases, their oscillations are said to be damped. This is...
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The Doppler effect has several practical, real-world applications. For instance, meteorologists use Doppler radars to interpret weather events based on the Doppler effect. Typically, a transmitter emits radio waves at a specific frequency toward the sky from a weather station. The radio waves bounce off the clouds and precipitation and travel back to the weather station. The radio frequency of the waves reflected back to the station appears to decrease if the clouds or precipitation are moving...
Atomic Nuclei: Larmor Precession Frequency01:11

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The earth's gravitational field produces a 'twisting force' perpendicular to the angular momentum of a spinning mass (such as a spinning top) that causes the mass to 'wobble' around the gravitational field axis in a phenomenon called precession. Similarly, the magnetic moment (μ) of a spinning nucleus precesses due to an external magnetic field directed along the z-axis. The precession of the magnetic moment vector about the magnetic field is called Larmor precession, and the angular frequency...
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Double Resonance Techniques: Overview

Double resonance techniques in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy involve the simultaneous application of two different frequencies or radiofrequency pulses to manipulate and observe two distinct nuclear spins. One important application of double resonance is spin decoupling, which selectively suppresses coupling with one type of nucleus while observing the NMR signal from another nucleus, simplifying the spectrum and enhancing resolution.
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Quantum State Engineering of Light with Continuous-wave Optical Parametric Oscillators
09:23

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Published on: May 30, 2014

Heterodyne detection with a weak local oscillator.

Leaf A Jiang1, Jane X Luu

  • 1MIT Lincoln Laboratory, Lexington, Massachusetts 02420, USA. leaf@ll.mit.edu

Applied Optics
|April 3, 2008
PubMed
Summary

This study presents a new theory for heterodyne detection, even with very low light levels. Experimental validation confirms the theory, offering insights into optimal photon counts for signal detection.

Area of Science:

  • Optics and Photonics
  • Signal Processing

Background:

  • Heterodyne detection typically assumes strong local oscillator power, neglecting low-light conditions.
  • Previous theories often overlooked noise dominance in weak signal scenarios.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a comprehensive theory for heterodyne detection at arbitrary power levels.
  • To address the under-researched regime of weak local oscillator and signal power.

Main Methods:

  • Developed a theoretical framework for heterodyne detection applicable to diffuse and specular targets.
  • Validated the theory through experimental testing and comparison.

Main Results:

  • The presented theory accurately describes heterodyne detection at low photon counts.

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  • Established methods for interpreting power spectral density of heterodyne signals.
  • Determined optimal signal and local oscillator photon numbers for coherent integration.

    • Conclusions:

    • The new theory provides a robust model for heterodyne detection across all power levels.
    • Offers practical guidance for optimizing detector performance in low-light conditions.