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arXiv:1807.05498 · Communications Physics

Classical analogy of a cat state using vortex light

Shi-Long Liu, Qiang Zhou, Shi-Kai Liu, Yan Li, Yin‐Hai Li, Zhi‐Yuan Zhou, Guang‐Can Guo, Bao-Sen Shi

Published Jul 2, 2019• 27 citations

Abstract

Abstract Cat states are systems in a superposition of macroscopically distinguishable states; this superposition can be of either classically or quantum distinct states, regardless of the number of particles or modes involved. Here, we constructed an experimental model that simulates an optical cat state by engineering the classical orbital angular momentum of light, referred to here as an analogous cat state (a-CS). In our scheme, the behaviors of the a-CS in position space show many similarities to the quantum version of the optical cat state in phase space, for example, movement, rotation, and interference. Experimentally, the a-CS, which has two spatially localized Gaussian intensity lobes, can be evolved from “kitten” to “cat” by engineering the acquired phase hologram. Additionally, we simulated the “decoherence” of the a-CS influenced by atmospheric turbulence. The a-CS provides a reliable tool for visualizing and studying the behaviors of quantum cat states in phase space.

DOI: 10.1038/s42005-019-0156-2

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Abstract Cat states are systems in a superposition of macroscopically distinguishable states; this superposition can be of either classically or quantum distinct states, regardless of the number of particles or modes involved. Here, we constructed an experimental model that simulates an optical cat state by engineering the classical orbital angular momentum of light, referred to here as an analogous cat state (a-CS). In our scheme, the behaviors of the a-CS in position space show many similarities to the quantum version of the optical cat state in phase space, for example, movement, rotation, and interference. Experimentally, the a-CS, which has two spatially localized Gaussian intensity lobes, can be evolved from “kitten” to “cat” by engineering the acquired phase hologram. Additionally, we simulated the “decoherence” of the a-CS influenced by atmospheric turbulence. The a-CS provides a reliable tool for visualizing and studying the behaviors of quantum cat states in phase space.

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The study of decoherence properties improves our understanding of the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics and advances the study of quantum information processing. Herein, we report a wave-optical experiment that can simulate the decoherence process of a Schrodinger’s cat state (SCS) by photon loss. The method is based on an analogy between image rotation in wave optics and a beam splitter in quantum optics. Experimental results show that the SCS rapidly decays into a statistical mixture of two Gaussian states with approximately 10% photon loss. This behavior can be well described within the framework of quantum optics.

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We propose a scheme for the generation of arbitrary coherent superpositions of vortex states in Bose-Einstein condensates (BEC) using the orbital-angular-momentum states of light. We devise a scheme to generate coherent superpositions of two such counterrotating states of light using well-known experimental techniques. We show that a specially designed Raman scheme allows for transfer of the optical vortex-superposition state onto an initially nonrotating BEC. This creates an arbitrary and coherent superposition of a vortex and antivortex pair in the BEC. The ideas presented here could be extended to generate entangled vortex states, design memories for the orbital-angular-momentum states of light, and perform other quantum information tasks. Applications to inertial sensing are also discussed.