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

Physical Review Letters

Distinguishable quantum states generated via nonlinear birefringence

Antonio Mecozzi, Paolo Tombesi

Published Mar 16, 1987• 143 citations
Publisher

Abstract

A nonlinear Hamiltonian model is presented for which exact analytic results can be obtained. It is shown that macroscopically distinguishable quantum states can be generated and detected by means of a homodyne detector. The vacuum fluctuations may inhibit their observability; however, this contribution can be subtracted.
DOI
10.1103/physrevlett.58.1055

Related papers

Generation and detection of macroscopically istinguishable quantum states

Zhu B, Z Wang

An exact solution for the nonlinear birefringent medium model is obtained by using SO(3) rotation group property. It is proved that coherent light entering the medium will evolve into a superposition of maorosoopioally distinguishable quantum states. In order to detect their interference fringes, holodyne detection scheme is used and the probability distribution for the output of homodyne detector is calculated when the intial states being linear and circular polarization coherent light.

Acta Optica Sinica•Jan 1, 1990•0 citations

Generation of macroscopically distinguishable quantum states and detection by the squeezed-vacuum technique

Paolo Tombesi, Antonio Mecozzi

Here it is shown that, for a wide class of nonlinear Hamiltonians, an essentially classical initial state will evolve into the coherent superposition of distinguishable quantum states. The detection of the interference fringes can be performed by beating the light leaving the nonlinear optical medium with light from a local oscillator. A model for the loss in the detection apparatus is introduced. The squeezed-vacuum technique is introduced finally as a means of enhancing the interference fringes displaying the distinguishable quantum state.

Journal of the Optical Society of America B•Oct 1, 1987•119 citations

Quantum behavior of a four-wave mixer operated in a nonlinear regime

Bernard Yurke, David Stoler

A four-wave mixer model is presented for which exact analytic results can be obtained in a regime where the usual perturbation procedures no longer apply. It is shown that under suitable conditions the output of such a four-wave mixer consists of a superposition of macroscopically distinguishable states. Such states can be identified with a homodyne detector which is able to observe the interference between the macroscopically distinguishable components. Further, it is shown that the device can act as an even-odd filter which will switch incoming pump light between two output ports depending on whether there is an even or odd number of pump photons.

Physical Review A•Jun 1, 1987•67 citations

Generating quantum mechanical superpositions of macroscopically distinguishable states via amplitude dispersion

Bernard Yurke, David Stoler

It is pointed out here that a coherent state propagating through an amplitude dispersive medium will, under suitable conditions, evolve into a quantum superposition of two coherent states 180\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} out of phase with each other. The response of a homodyne detector to this superposition of macroscopically distinguishable states is calculated. Signatures which an experimentalist might look for in the homodyne detector's output in order to verify the generation of such states are described.

Physical Review Letters•Jul 7, 1986•1,283 citations

Nonlinear atomic homodyne detection: A technique to detect macroscopic superpositions in a micromaser

Martin Wilkens, Pierre Meystre

We propose a measurement scheme to detect the multiphoton coherences inherent in the macroscopic quantum superpositions that can be generated in a superconducting micromaser cavity. The scheme is a nonlinear version of a single-atom homodyne detector. It is shown that the ionization probability of a single test atom is given in terms of the Wigner characteristic function of the field.

Physical Review A•Apr 1, 1991•105 citations

Conditional generation of an arbitrary superposition of coherent states

Masahiro Takeoka, Masahide Sasaki

We present a scheme to conditionally generate an arbitrary superposition of a pair of coherent states from a squeezed vacuum by means of the modified photon subtraction where a coherent state ancilla and two on/off type detectors are used. We show that, even including realistic imperfections of the detectors, our scheme can generate a target state with a high fidelity. The amplitude of the generated states can be amplified by conditional homodyne detections.

arXiv:quant-ph/0702126•Physical Review A•Jun 14, 2007•41 citations
Here it is shown that, for a wide class of nonlinear Hamiltonians, an essentially classical initial state will evolve into the coherent superposition of distinguishable quantum states. The detection of the interference fringes can be performed by beating the light leaving the nonlinear optical medium with light from a local oscillator. A model for the loss in the detection apparatus is introduced. The squeezed-vacuum technique is introduced finally as a means of enhancing the interference fringes displaying the distinguishable quantum state.
A four-wave mixer model is presented for which exact analytic results can be obtained in a regime where the usual perturbation procedures no longer apply. It is shown that under suitable conditions the output of such a four-wave mixer consists of a superposition of macroscopically distinguishable states. Such states can be identified with a homodyne detector which is able to observe the interference between the macroscopically distinguishable components. Further, it is shown that the device can act as an even-odd filter which will switch incoming pump light between two output ports depending on whether there is an even or odd number of pump photons.
It is pointed out here that a coherent state propagating through an amplitude dispersive medium will, under suitable conditions, evolve into a quantum superposition of two coherent states 180\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} out of phase with each other. The response of a homodyne detector to this superposition of macroscopically distinguishable states is calculated. Signatures which an experimentalist might look for in the homodyne detector's output in order to verify the generation of such states are described.