Wigner function and photon number distribution of a superradiant state in semiconductor heterostructures

Abstract

Abstract Advanced quantum technologies require sources of non-Gaussian and non-classical light. For the understanding of properties of quantum light it is necessary to reconstruct its quantum state. Here, we use time-domain optical homodyne tomography for the quantum state recognition and reconstruction of the femtosecond optical field from a nonequilibrium superradiant coherent electron–hole state formed in a semiconductor GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructure. We observe severe deviations from the Poissonian statistics of the photons associated with the coherent state when the transformation from lasing to superradiance occurs. The estimated Mandel parameter Q of the superradiant states is in the range of 1.08–1.89. The reconstructed Wigner functions show large areas of negative values, a characteristic sign of non-classicality, demonstrating the quantum nature of the generated superradiant emission. The photon number distribution and Wigner function of the superradiant state are very similar to those of the displaced Fock state.