Creating multicomponent Schr\"odinger cat states in a coupled qubit-oscillator system

TL;DR

This paper introduces a method to generate complex Schrödinger cat states in a coupled qubit-oscillator system, enabling customizable superpositions for quantum applications.

Contribution

It proposes a novel protocol involving quantum quenches and spin measurements to create tunable multicomponent superpositions in oscillator states.

Findings

The method allows preparation of arbitrary superpositions of wavepackets.

It is compatible with current experimental techniques.

Potential applications in quantum information and sensing are identified.

Abstract

We present a method for preparing various exotic modifications of Schr{\"o}dinger cat states by coupling a semiclassical oscillator to a system of qubits. Varying the number of qubits and parameters of the protocol (involving quantum quench of the coupled system and a subsequent spin measurement), we bring the oscillator into a coherent superposition composed of an arbitrary number of wavepackets in tunable proportions and motion relations. The method can be implemented with the aid of current experimental techniques and may find applications in quantum information and sensing protocols.