Robustness of nonclassical superpositions states against decoherence

TL;DR

This paper investigates how nonclassical superposition states, specifically cat states, lose their quantum properties over time due to interaction with an environment, highlighting the relationship between decoherence and the decay of nonclassical effects.

Contribution

It provides a comparative analysis of quadrature squeezing, photon-number distribution, and Wigner function decay in cat states under decoherence, emphasizing the proportionality between decoherence and loss of nonclassicality.

Findings

Nonclassical effects decay at a rate proportional to decoherence.

Quadrature squeezing diminishes as decoherence progresses.

Wigner function negativity reduces with environmental interaction.

Abstract

We make a comparative study of quadrature squeezing, photon-number distribution and Wigner function in a decayed quantum system. Specifically, for a field mode prepared initially in cat states interacting with a zero-temperature environment, we show that the rate of reduction of the nonclassical effects in this system is proportional to the occurrence of the decoherence process.