Generation of optical Schrödinger cat states in intense laser–matter interactions

0554118 - FZÚ 2022 RIV GB eng J - Journal Article
Lewenstein, M. - Ciappina, Marcelo F. - Pisanty, E. - Rivera-Dean, J. - Stammer, P. - Lamprou, T. - Tzallas, P.
Generation of optical Schrödinger cat states in intense laser–matter interactions.
Nature Physics. Roč. 17, OCT (2021), s. 1104-1108. ISSN 1745-2473. E-ISSN 1745-2481
R&D Projects: GA ČR(CZ) GC20-24805J
Research Infrastructure: ELI Beamlines III - 90141
Institutional support: RVO:68378271
Keywords : non-classical light states * high-intensity laser-matter interaction
OECD category: Fluids and plasma physics (including surface physics)
Impact factor: 19.684, year: 2021
Method of publishing: Limited access
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41567-021-01317-w

The physics of intense laser–matter interactions1,2 is described by treating the light pulses classically, anticipating no need to access optical measurements beyond the classical limit. However, the quantum nature of the electromagnetic fields is always present3. Here we demonstrate that intense laser–atom interactions may lead to the generation of highly non-classical light states. This was achieved by using the process of high-harmonic generation in atoms4,5, in which the photons of a driving laser pulse of infrared frequency are upconverted into photons of higher frequencies in the extreme ultraviolet spectral range. The quantum state of the fundamental mode after the interaction, when conditioned on the high-harmonic generation, is a so-called Schrödinger cat state, which corresponds to a superposition of two distinct coherent states: the initial state of the laser and the coherent state reduced in amplitude that results from the interaction with atoms.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0328759