Active versus Passive Coherent Equalization of Passive Linear Quantum Systems

Abstract: The paper considers the problem of equalization of passive linear quantum systems. While our previous work was concerned with the analysis and synthesis of passive equalizers, in this paper we analyze coherent quantum equalizers whose annihilation (respectively, creation) operator dynamics in the Heisenberg picture are driven by both quadratures of the channel output field. We show that the characteristics of the input field must be taken into consideration when choosing the type of the equalizing filter. In particular, we show that for thermal fields allowing the filter to process both quadratures of the channel output may not improve mean square accuracy of the input field estimate, in comparison with passive filters. This situation changes when the input field is `squeezed'.