Generation of optical Schrödinger cat states by number-resolved squeezed photon subtraction

Published

May 31, 2009

Author(s)

Thomas Gerrits, Scott C. Glancy, Tracy S. Clement, Brice R. Calkins, Adriana E. Lita, Aaron J. Miller, Alan L. Migdall, Sae Woo Nam, Richard P. Mirin, Emanuel H. Knill

Abstract

We have generated and measured an approximation of an optical Schrödinger cat state by photon subtraction from a squeezed state. Using single-photon avalanche photodiode detectors and photon-number-resolving transition edge sensors, we were able to extract Wigner distributions for one or two photons subtracted from the squeezed state, resulting in both an odd and even cat state. The one-photon-subtracted Wigner distribution shows measured negative features (without any correction), indicating quantum character. The Wigner distribution of the two-photon-subtracted state is negative after correcting for homodyne losses. A full statistical analysis is under way to quantify the magnitude and fidelity of the cat states generated.

Proceedings Title

2009 Conference of Lasers and Electro-optics (CLEO)and International Quantum Electronics Conference (IQEC)

Conference Dates

May 31-June 5, 2009

Conference Location

Baltimore, MD

Pub Type

Conferences

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Keywords

homodyne detection, optical cat states, squeezing

Citation

Gerrits, T. , Glancy, S. , Clement, T. , Calkins, B. , Lita, A. , Miller, A. , Migdall, A. , Nam, S. , Mirin, R. and Knill, E. (2009), Generation of optical Schrödinger cat states by number-resolved squeezed photon subtraction, 2009 Conference of Lasers and Electro-optics (CLEO)and International Quantum Electronics Conference (IQEC), Baltimore, MD, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=901159 (Accessed October 10, 2025)