The exposition of the formalisms of the quantum optical phase has been provided commencing from the quantum mechanics of a massive particle. The clockwise and counterclockwise components of the planar motion are shown to correspond to the signal and idler modes in the heterodyne detection scheme. The appropriate ideal phase proposal has been embodied in this scheme.

• Received 6 December 1993

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.50.818