Manipulating the non-Gaussianity of phase-randomized coherent states

TL;DR

This paper experimentally explores the non-Gaussian properties of phase-randomized coherent states, reconstructing their Wigner functions and quantifying non-Gaussianity using direct detection in quantum communication contexts.

Contribution

It provides the first experimental reconstruction and quantification of non-Gaussianity in phase-randomized coherent states relevant for quantum communication.

Findings

Successfully reconstructed phase-insensitive Wigner functions.

Quantified non-Gaussianity of the states.

Demonstrated measurement technique in mesoscopic photon-number domain.

Abstract

We experimentally investigate the non-Gaussian features of the phase-randomized coherent states, a class of states exploited in communication channels and in decoy state-based quantum key distribution protocols. In particular, we reconstruct their phase-insensitive Wigner functions and quantify their non-Gaussianity. The measurements are performed in the mesoscopic photon-number domain by means of a direct detection scheme involving linear detectors.