Schrödinger-cat states in the resonant Jaynes-Cummings model: Collapse and revival of oscillations of the photon-number distribution

V. Bužek, H. Moya-Cessa, P. L. Knight, and S. J. D. Phoenix
Phys. Rev. A 45, 8190 – Published 1 June 1992
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Abstract

The Jaynes-Cummings model of optical resonance describes the simplest fully quantized interaction between two quantum systems of different nature: a two-level atom (fermionic system) and a quantized field mode (bosonic system). This interaction leads to extreme quantum entanglement of the atom and field. However, the model also predicts that, at precisely half of the revival time, the atom and field become asymptotically disentangled. This disentanglement becomes more exact as the coherent-state amplitude increases. In this paper we investigate the nature of the pure-field-state superposition generated at such times. We show that this superposition is of distinguishable states of the field with the same amplitude but opposite phase. Interference between these components leads to nonclassical oscillations in photon-number distributions and squeezing in quadratures of the field. The Schrödinger-cat states of the field are highly transient, and depend very sensitively on the interaction time, the initial intensity of the field, and the atom-field detuning.

  • Received 16 December 1991

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.45.8190

©1992 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

V. Bužek, H. Moya-Cessa, and P. L. Knight

  • Optics Section, The Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College, London SW7 2BZ, England

S. J. D. Phoenix

  • BT Laboratories, Martlesham Heath, Ipswich IP5 7RE, England

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Vol. 45, Iss. 11 — June 1992

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