Parametric down-conversion beyond the semiclassical approximation

Abstract

Using a perturbative approach, we investigate the parametric down-conversion process without the semiclassical approximation. A Wigner functional formalism, which incorporates both the spatiotemproal degrees of freedom and the particle-number degrees of freedom is used to perform the analysis. First, we derive an evolution equation for the down-conversion process in the nonlinear medium. Then we use the perturbative approach to solve the equation. The leading order contribution is equivalent to the semiclassical solution. The next-to-leading order contribution provides a solution that includes the evolution of the pump field as a quantum field.