Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:0705.2045 · Journal of the Optical Society of America B

Methods for producing optical coherent state superpositions

Scott Glancy, H. M. Vasconcelos

Published Apr 15, 2008• 101 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We discuss several methods to produce superpositions of optical coherent states (also known as “cat states”). Cat states have remarkable properties that could allow them to be powerful tools for quantum information processing and metrology. A number of proposals for how one can produce cat states have appeared in the literature in recent years. We describe these proposals and present a new simulation and analysis of them incorporating practical issues such as photon loss, detector inefficiency, and limited strength of nonlinear interactions. We also examine how each would perform in a realistic experiment.

DOI
10.1364/josab.25.000712

Related papers

New schemes for creating large optical Schrödinger cat states using strong laser fields

Javier Rivera-Dean, Philipp Stammer, Emilio Pisanty +4 more

Recently, using conditioning approaches on the high-harmonic generation process induced by intense laser-atom interactions, we have developed a new method for the generation of optical Schrödinger cat states (Lewenstein et al. in Nat Phys, 17 1104–1108, 2021. https://doi/10.1038/s41567-021-01317-w). These quantum optical states have been proven to be very manageable as, by modifying the conditions under which harmonics are generated, one can interplay between kitten and genuine cat states. Here, we demonstrate that this method can also be used for the development of new schemes towards the creation of optical Schrödinger cat states, consisting of the superposition of three distinct coherent states. Apart from the interest these kind of states have on their own, we additionally propose a scheme for using them towards the generation of large cat states involving the sum of two different coherent states. The quantum properties of the obtained superpositions aim to significantly increase the applicability of optical Schrödinger cat states for quantum technology and quantum information processing.

arXiv:2107.12811•Journal of Computational Electronics•Oct 11, 2021•30 citations

Practical effects in cat state breeding

Peter P. Rohde, Austin P. Lund

A cat state is a superposition of macroscopically distinct states. In quantum optics one such type of state is a superposition of distinct coherent states. Recently, a protocol has been proposed for preparing large optical cat states from a resource of smaller ones. We consider the effects of mode-mismatch and loss in the preparation of large cat states using this protocol with a view to understand experimental limitations. (This paper is written in an experimental rapid communication format).

arXiv:quant-ph/0702064•Feb 7, 2007•2 citations

Scheme for generating coherent-state superpositions with realistic cross-Kerr nonlinearity

Bing He, Mustansar Nadeem, János A. Bergou

We present a simple scheme using two identical cross-phase modulation processes in the decoherence environment to generate superpositions of two coherent states with the opposite phases, which are known as cat states. The scheme is shown to be robust against decoherence due to photon absorption losses and other errors, and the design of its experimental setup is also discussed.

arXiv:0901.3505•Physical Review A•Mar 24, 2009•78 citations

Generating and breeding optical Schrödinger’s cat states

Demid Sychev, Alexander E. Ulanov, Anastasia A. Pushkina +4 more

Superpositions of macroscopically distinct quantum states, introduced in Schrödinger’s famous Gedankenexperiment, are an epitome of quantum “strangeness” and a natural tool for determining the validity limits of quantum physics. The optical incarnation of Schrödinger’s cat — the superposition of two opposite-amplitude coherent states — is also the backbone of quantum information processing in the continuous-variable domain. Here we implement two protocols for producing and amplifying optical Schrödinger’s cats. In the first protocol we remotely prepare a high-efficiency Schrödinger cat state by applying the remote state preparation to a N00N state prepared between two parties that are separated by a lossy medium. The second protocol consists in bringing the initial states into interference on a beamsplitter and a subsequent heralding quadrature measurement in one of the output channels. The latter technique enables implementation in an iterative manner, in principle allowing creation of Schrödinger’s cat states of arbitrarily high amplitude.

AIP conference proceedings•Jan 1, 2018•10 citations

Strong laser fields and their power to generate controllable high-photon-number coherent-state superpositions

Javier Rivera-Dean, Theocharis Lamprou, Emilio Pisanty +6 more

In an effort to better bridge quantum optics and strong-field physics, the authors demonstrate the ability of intense laser-atom interactions to generate coherent-state superpositions and tune their quantum properties. They show that these superpositions can transition from optical ``cat'' states to ``kitten'' states with a change in atomic density, and report the highest-photon-number optical cat state to date.

arXiv:2110.01032•Physical Review A•Mar 23, 2022•57 citations

A simple proposal for generation of various classes of cat-like state via quantum nonlinear optical processes

A Noury, Mohammad Kazem Tavassoly

Abstract Generation of nonclassical states is a necessary requirement for all quantum science and technology protocols. In this regard, Schrödinger cat states, as quantum superpositions of mocroscopically distinguishable coherent states with equal amplitude and opposite phases, have been of great importance in recent years. In this paper, using some appropriate nonlinear optical media, a theoretical scheme is employed to generate various classes of cat-like states with the help of the connection between quantum and nonlinear optics. In fact, we have exploited a single simple method to produce even, odd and also Yurke-Stoler cat-like states by considering different input states such as coherent squeezed, squeezed coherent, photon-added coherent, pair coherent and trio coherent states. To achieve the purpose, we extensively use cross-Kerr interaction and its further generalizations to higher-orders. Projective measurement is the original conception behind the represented approach by which distinct types of nonclassical states are obtained. At last, we pay our attention to the unavoidable effect of field dissipation and show that in most of the above-studied states we may still achieve the cat-like states, however, with attenuated amplitudes.

Physica Scripta•Jun 5, 2025•2 citations
We discuss several methods to produce superpositions of optical coherent states (also known as “cat states”). Cat states have remarkable properties that could allow them to be powerful tools for quantum information processing and metrology. A number of proposals for how one can produce cat states have appeared in the literature in recent years. We describe these proposals and present a new simulation and analysis of them incorporating practical issues such as photon loss, detector inefficiency, and limited strength of nonlinear interactions. We also examine how each would perform in a realistic experiment.
Recently, using conditioning approaches on the high-harmonic generation process induced by intense laser-atom interactions, we have developed a new method for the generation of optical Schrödinger cat states (Lewenstein et al. in Nat Phys, 17 1104–1108, 2021. https://doi/10.1038/s41567-021-01317-w). These quantum optical states have been proven to be very manageable as, by modifying the conditions under which harmonics are generated, one can interplay between kitten and genuine cat states. Here, we demonstrate that this method can also be used for the development of new schemes towards the creation of optical Schrödinger cat states, consisting of the superposition of three distinct coherent states. Apart from the interest these kind of states have on their own, we additionally propose a scheme for using them towards the generation of large cat states involving the sum of two different coherent states. The quantum properties of the obtained superpositions aim to significantly increase the applicability of optical Schrödinger cat states for quantum technology and quantum information processing.
Superpositions of macroscopically distinct quantum states, introduced in Schrödinger’s famous Gedankenexperiment, are an epitome of quantum “strangeness” and a natural tool for determining the validity limits of quantum physics. The optical incarnation of Schrödinger’s cat — the superposition of two opposite-amplitude coherent states — is also the backbone of quantum information processing in the continuous-variable domain. Here we implement two protocols for producing and amplifying optical Schrödinger’s cats. In the first protocol we remotely prepare a high-efficiency Schrödinger cat state by applying the remote state preparation to a N00N state prepared between two parties that are separated by a lossy medium. The second protocol consists in bringing the initial states into interference on a beamsplitter and a subsequent heralding quadrature measurement in one of the output channels. The latter technique enables implementation in an iterative manner, in principle allowing creation of Schrödinger’s cat states of arbitrarily high amplitude.
Abstract Generation of nonclassical states is a necessary requirement for all quantum science and technology protocols. In this regard, Schrödinger cat states, as quantum superpositions of mocroscopically distinguishable coherent states with equal amplitude and opposite phases, have been of great importance in recent years. In this paper, using some appropriate nonlinear optical media, a theoretical scheme is employed to generate various classes of cat-like states with the help of the connection between quantum and nonlinear optics. In fact, we have exploited a single simple method to produce even, odd and also Yurke-Stoler cat-like states by considering different input states such as coherent squeezed, squeezed coherent, photon-added coherent, pair coherent and trio coherent states. To achieve the purpose, we extensively use cross-Kerr interaction and its further generalizations to higher-orders. Projective measurement is the original conception behind the represented approach by which distinct types of nonclassical states are obtained. At last, we pay our attention to the unavoidable effect of field dissipation and show that in most of the above-studied states we may still achieve the cat-like states, however, with attenuated amplitudes.