Fieldoscopy at the quantum limit

We demonstrate a novel concept for measuring time-varying electric field transients of petahertz-scale photons down to a single-photon regime. We observe a clear breakdown of the classical regime consistent with our Monte Carlo model. We reach unprecedented yoctojoule-level (10⁻²⁴ J) sensitivity and a dynamic range exceeding 90 decibels. We utilize this capability to measure intrapulse light coherence - a regime inaccessible to conventional, time-averaged spectroscopy. This opens new avenues for quantum information, cryptography, and quantum light-matter interactions on sub-cycle time scales with attosecond precision.

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Publication Details

Journal
Light Science & Applications
Published
2026-02-09
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-025-02066-8
Primary Topic
Quantum Information and Cryptography
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Fieldoscopy at the quantum limit

Dmitry A. Zimin, Arjun Ashoka, Florentin Reiter, Akshay Rao
Light Science & Applications
Quantum Information and Cryptography
article

Fieldoscopy at the quantum limit

Dmitry A. Zimin, Arjun Ashoka, Florentin Reiter, Akshay Rao
article en

Abstract

We demonstrate a novel concept for measuring time-varying electric field transients of petahertz-scale photons down to a single-photon regime. We observe a clear breakdown of the classical regime consistent with our Monte Carlo model. We reach unprecedented yoctojoule-level (10⁻²⁴ J) sensitivity and a dynamic range exceeding 90 decibels. We utilize this capability to measure intrapulse light coherence - a regime inaccessible to conventional, time-averaged spectroscopy. This opens new avenues for quantum information, cryptography, and quantum light-matter interactions on sub-cycle time scales with attosecond precision.

Light Science & ApplicationsVol. 15(1)
University of Cambridge (GB), ETH Zurich (CH), Bridge University (SS)
National Science Foundation, Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung
Openalex Percentile: Top 63%
Quantum Information and Cryptography
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Fieldoscopy at the quantum limit — Dmitry A. Zimin, Arjun Ashoka, et al. · Light Science & Applications (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS