Photon-catalyzed optical coherent states generated via a non-degenerate parametric amplifier with quantum-optical catalysis

Abstract

We theoretically generate a kind of photon-catalyzed optical coherent states (PCOCSs) by heralded interference between any photons and coherent state via a non-degenerate parametric amplifier, which is also just a Laguerre polynomial excited coherent state. Based on obtaining the probability of successfully detecting them (also the normalization factor), the nonclassical properties of the PCOCSs are analytically investigated according to autocorrelation function, quadrature squeezing, and the negativity of the Wigner function. It is found that the nonclassicality depends on the amplitude of the coherent state, the catalysis photon number, and amplifier parameter. The negative volume of their Wigner function can be enlarged by increasing the catalysis photon number. These parameters may be effectively used to improve and enhance the nonclassical characteristics.