It used to be believed that light was simple energy and that there were no particles in it. However, with the study of the quantum, scientists were able to deduce that light was actually make up of small particles known as photons.Quantum optics is the study of light and its interactions with matter. More specifically, quantum optics is a field of study where scientists observe the nature and effects of light on photons that are being quantified.

Understanding Quantum Optics

Quantum optics is confusing to individuals for the simple fact that light can be both a wave as well as a particle and, more importantly, it can exhibit the characteristics of both. This, therefore, provides a headache to those trying to grasp it because for most other things in the world, they only have one characteristic. In a more detailed sense, light can be described as exhibiting an electro-magnetic wave, but also at the same time, it can be observed as a stream of photons.Quantum Optics

The first scientists to begin stepping into the quantum world was Planck and Einstein. Planck released his equation that suggested that energy was equal to the wave frequency multiplied by a specific constant. The reason for this was because light only exists as some multiple of a basic number. Therefore, the equation that arose from this was:

E=hf

What this equation showed was that energy was directly proportional to the frequency of the light. As the frequency of the light began to increase, the energy that was found in the light increased as well.

Interests in Quantum Optics

There are a considerable number of interests for researchers when discussing quantum optics. The first main interest that researchers are hoping is for the chance to use quantum optics to gain a further understanding of photons for the use of transmitting data. What researchers hope is that they will be able to use photons – known as a group of study called photonics – to pass data similar to how it is done with electrons and electronics. Researchers beleive that photons are going to take the place for computing in the future as more demand is needed for more effective transfers.

The final real push for quantum optics is the creation of lasers. A laser is a when light or simulated light is emitted in a particular direction. However, what researchers understood was that understanding quantum optics and how light worked in more detailed more laser research much simpler. Therefore, as more researcher is developed in quantum optics, more research in lasers is revealed.