Transforming photon statistics through zero-photon subtraction

TL;DR

Zero-photon subtraction (ZPS) can transform photon statistics of quantum states, converting super-Poissonian to sub-Poissonian states and vice versa, enabling new tests for non-classicality in quantum optics.

Contribution

This work demonstrates that ZPS can change photon statistics and introduces new non-classicality criteria based on this transformation, expanding the understanding of quantum state manipulation.

Findings

ZPS can convert super-Poissonian to sub-Poissonian states.

ZPS enables new experimentally testable non-classicality criteria.

The effect challenges existing 'no-go' theorems on conditional measurements.

Abstract

Zero-photon subtraction (ZPS) is a conditional measurement process that can reduce the mean photon number of quantum optical states without physically removing any photons. Here we show that ZPS can also be used to transform certain super-Poissonian states into sub-Poissonian states, and vice versa. Combined with a well-known "no-go" theorem on conditional measurements, this effect leads to a new set of non-classicality criteria that can be experimentally tested through ZPS measurements.