Generalized coherent states of light interacting with a nonlinear medium, quantum superpositions and dissipative processes

Abstract

Abstract The interaction of a single-mode quantized light field with a low-dissipative nonlinear medium is analyzed in case the field mode is initially prepared in a generalized coherent state (GCS). Similarly to the case of canonical coherent states (CSs) of light, the time evolution is periodic and becomes a superposition of a finite number of GCSs at determined time instants. The effects of the dissipative process on these superpositions are studied by evaluating the loss of one photon and the corresponding rate. Special conditions are determined such that the superpositions of GCSs created in the time evolution of a GCS are stronger or weaker against the dissipative process than the superpositions of optical CSs generated in the evolution of a canonical CS. This selection is performed by comparing the corresponding dissipation rates of loosing one photon. In this way, perturbations of coherent light are found such that the quantum superpositions of GCSs created in the time evolution are stronger against the dissipative process than the superpositions of optical CSs generated with coherent light.