Schrodinger kitten and cat states characterisation using only continuous variables and Gaussian resources

Abstract

Quantum optics used to be clearly divided into two camps: continuous variables and discrete variables. Continuous variable experiments measured the quadrature variables of the optical field at side band frequencies using frequency resolved homodyne detection and typically employed bright light sources of a few milliwatts. Discrete variable experiments measured the photon number in a particular time window using avalanche photodiodes and typically employed weak light sources of a few nanowatts. Show more