Incoherent control of two-photon induced optical measurements in open quantum systems: quantum heat engine perspective

Abstract: We present a consistent optimization procedure for the optical measurements in open quantum systems using recently developed incoherent control protocol. Assigning an effective hot bath for the two-entangled-photon pump we recast the transmission of classical probe as a work in a quantum heat engine framework. We demonstrate that maximum work in such a heat engine can exceed that for the classical two-photon and one-photon pumps, while efficiency at maximum power can be attributed to conventional boundaries obtained for three-level maser heat engine. Our results pave the way for incoherent control and optimization of optical measurements in open quantum systems that involve two-photon processes with quantum light.