Quantum dynamics of the nonlinear rotator and the effects of continual spin measurement

The quantum and classical dynamics of the nonlinear oscillator are contrasted by comparing the evolution of the quantum Q function with that of a similar classical probability distribution. The quantum nonlinear rotator is shown to generate a superposition of two distinct coherent states from a coherent-state input. Measurements of the angular-momentum components and the signature of a superposition state are discussed. The effects of a continual measurement of one angular-momentum component are introduced into the model, and its effects on quantum coherences are shown to degrade the quantum coherence effects. We present a quantum optical model that obeys the nonlinear rotator dynamics and can generate superpositions of SU(2) coherent states of the two-mode electromagnetic field.