Quantum state engineering by a coherent superposition of photon subtraction and addition

TL;DR

This paper introduces a method for quantum state engineering using a coherent superposition of photon subtraction and addition, transforming classical states into nonclassical states with potential for creating arbitrary superpositions of photon number states.

Contribution

It proposes a novel coherent superposition operation for quantum state manipulation and an experimental scheme for generating arbitrary superpositions of photon number states.

Findings

Superposition operation induces nonclassical effects

Method enables transformation of classical to nonclassical states

Experimental scheme feasible for state generation

Abstract

We study a coherent superposition of field annihilation and creation operator acting on continuous variable systems and propose its application for quantum state engineering. Specifically, it is investigated how the superposed operation transforms a classical state to a nonclassical one, together with emerging nonclassical effects. We also propose an experimental scheme to implement this elementary coherent operation and discuss its usefulness to produce an arbitrary superposition of number states involving up to two photons.