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

Quantum Optics Journal of the European Optical Society Part B

Linewidth prevents macroscopic quantum superposition generation by single atom dispersion

Xiping Zheng, Jessica Gifford, Craig M. Savage

Published Oct 1, 1993• 5 citations
Publisher

Abstract

A method for generating macroscopically distinguishable superposition states via single atom dispersion was proposed by Savage et al. see Optics Letters, vol.15, p.628, 1990. In that model, the atomic linewidth was not considered. However, including the atomic linewidth, the authors get two contradictory conditions for the generation of distinguishable superposition states. This shows that the atomic linewidth prevents the formation of macroscopically distinguishable superposition states by the proposed method.

DOI
10.1088/0954-8998/5/5/005

Related papers

Macroscopic quantum superpositions by means of single-atom dispersion

Craig M. Savage, Samuel L. Braunstein, Daniel F. Walls

We show that macroscopic quantum superpositions of the electromagnetic field can be generated through amplification of microscopic quantum superpositions prepared in a single atom. Our scheme has the advantage that dissipation is negligible, and hence the superpositions are not rapidly destroyed.

Optics Letters•May 15, 1990•77 citations

Fundamental aspects of quantum optics : a dissertation

Xiping Zheng

The objective of this thesis is to investigate two fundamental problems of quantum optics: macroscopically distinguishable quantum superposition states and quantum chaos. After a brief introduction, Chapter II and Chapter III investigate the problem of superposition states. A method for generating the macroscopically distinguishable superposition states via single two-level atom dispersion was proposed by Savage et a/.[Opt.Lett. 15, 628(1990)]. In chapter II, an extension of this model to a three-level atom is investigated and the result shows that the superposition state can be obtained from the three-level model sytem in the dispersive limit. In chapter III, S ’ the effect of the atomic linewidth is considered. If the atomic linewidth is included, there will be two contradictory conditions for the generation of distinguishable superpositon states. This shows that the atomic linewidth prevents the formation of macroscopically distinguishable superpositon states by the proposed method. From chapter IV to chapter VI, we investigate the transition from a dissipative quantum system to a classically chaotic system. Specifically, wre apply the method of quantum trajectories to the case of optical second harmonic generation. In chapter V, the Q function is obtained numerically by this method and found to agree with the results obtained by solving the master equation. In chapter VI, the field amplitudes and mean photon number associated with a single quantum trajectory are investigated. The results show that the trajectory becomes more classical and the configuration of the classical strange attractor is approached as the field strength is increased. This is because the mean values of operator products factorize into products of mean values in the classical limit.

•Jan 1, 1994•0 citations

Entanglement and generation of superpositions of atomic coherent states

J. Récamier, Octavio Castaños, Rocío Jáuregui +1 more

After making a general description of the properties of macroscopic superpositions of collective atomic states, we present a detailed analysis of a method for their experimental realization recently proposed by C.C. Gerry and R. Grobe [Phys. Rev. A 56, 2390 (1997)] which is based on cavity QED techniques involving the manipulation of electromagnetic and matter fields. Specific conditions and limitations of the procedure are discussed.

Physical Review A•May 11, 2000•20 citations

Generation of superpositions of classically distinguishable quantum states from optical back-action evasion

Shang Song, Carlton M. Caves, Bernard Yurke

We describe a method for generating superpositions of classically distinguishable quantum states in an optical-frequency mode. The method uses the optical back-action-evading apparatus demonstrated recently by La Porta, Slusher, and Yurke [Phys. Rev. Lett. 62, 28 (1989)].

Physical Review A•May 1, 1990•161 citations

Macroscopic superpositions of phase states with Bose-Einstein condensates

Francesco Piazza, Luca Pezzè, Augusto Smerzi

Quantum superpositions of macroscopically distinguishable states having distinct phases can be created with a Bose-Einstein condensate trapped in a periodic potential. The experimental signature is contained in the phase distribution of the interference patterns obtained after releasing the traps. Moreover, in the double-well case, this distribution exhibits a dramatic dependence on the parity of the total number of atoms. We finally show that, for single-well occupations up to a few hundred atoms, the macroscopic quantum superposition can be robust enough against decoherence to be experimentally revealable within current technology.

arXiv:0803.2265•Physical Review A•Nov 5, 2008•33 citations

A NOTE ON GENERALIZED SUPERPOSITION OF COHERENT STATES

Regiane Ragi, Vanderlei Salvador Bagnato, B. Baseia

In this comment we present an improvement of our recent proposal [Int. J. Mod. Phys.B12, 1495 (1998)] to generate a generalized superposition of two coherent states. The basic idea here is to use a dispersive atom-field interaction together with a single atom quantum state engineering.

Modern Physics Letters B•Feb 10, 1999•6 citations
A method for generating macroscopically distinguishable superposition states via single atom dispersion was proposed by Savage et al. see Optics Letters, vol.15, p.628, 1990. In that model, the atomic linewidth was not considered. However, including the atomic linewidth, the authors get two contradictory conditions for the generation of distinguishable superposition states. This shows that the atomic linewidth prevents the formation of macroscopically distinguishable superposition states by the proposed method.
The objective of this thesis is to investigate two fundamental problems of quantum optics: macroscopically distinguishable quantum superposition states and quantum chaos. After a brief introduction, Chapter II and Chapter III investigate the problem of superposition states. A method for generating the macroscopically distinguishable superposition states via single two-level atom dispersion was proposed by Savage et a/.[Opt.Lett. 15, 628(1990)]. In chapter II, an extension of this model to a three-level atom is investigated and the result shows that the superposition state can be obtained from the three-level model sytem in the dispersive limit. In chapter III, S ’ the effect of the atomic linewidth is considered. If the atomic linewidth is included, there will be two contradictory conditions for the generation of distinguishable superpositon states. This shows that the atomic linewidth prevents the formation of macroscopically distinguishable superpositon states by the proposed method. From chapter IV to chapter VI, we investigate the transition from a dissipative quantum system to a classically chaotic system. Specifically, wre apply the method of quantum trajectories to the case of optical second harmonic generation. In chapter V, the Q function is obtained numerically by this method and found to agree with the results obtained by solving the master equation. In chapter VI, the field amplitudes and mean photon number associated with a single quantum trajectory are investigated. The results show that the trajectory becomes more classical and the configuration of the classical strange attractor is approached as the field strength is increased. This is because the mean values of operator products factorize into products of mean values in the classical limit.
Quantum superpositions of macroscopically distinguishable states having distinct phases can be created with a Bose-Einstein condensate trapped in a periodic potential. The experimental signature is contained in the phase distribution of the interference patterns obtained after releasing the traps. Moreover, in the double-well case, this distribution exhibits a dramatic dependence on the parity of the total number of atoms. We finally show that, for single-well occupations up to a few hundred atoms, the macroscopic quantum superposition can be robust enough against decoherence to be experimentally revealable within current technology.