Criteria for generalized macroscopic and mesoscopic quantum coherence

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Author(s)
Cavalcanti, EG
Reid, MD
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2008
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
We consider macroscopic, mesoscopic, and "S-scopic" quantum superpositions of eigenstates of an observable and develop some signatures for their existence. We define the extent, or size S of a superposition, with respect to an observable x謠as being the range of outcomes of x蠰redicted by that superposition. Such superpositions are referred to as generalized S-scopic superpositions to distinguish them from the extreme superpositions that superpose only the two states that have a difference S in their prediction for the observable. We also consider generalized S-scopic superpositions of coherent states. We explore the ...
View more >We consider macroscopic, mesoscopic, and "S-scopic" quantum superpositions of eigenstates of an observable and develop some signatures for their existence. We define the extent, or size S of a superposition, with respect to an observable x謠as being the range of outcomes of x蠰redicted by that superposition. Such superpositions are referred to as generalized S-scopic superpositions to distinguish them from the extreme superpositions that superpose only the two states that have a difference S in their prediction for the observable. We also consider generalized S-scopic superpositions of coherent states. We explore the constraints that are placed on the statistics if we suppose a system to be described by mixtures of superpositions that are restricted in size. In this way we arrive at experimental criteria that are sufficient to deduce the existence of a generalized S-scopic superposition. The signatures developed are useful where one is able to demonstrate a degree of squeezing. We also discuss how the signatures enable a new type of Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen gedanken experiment.
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View more >We consider macroscopic, mesoscopic, and "S-scopic" quantum superpositions of eigenstates of an observable and develop some signatures for their existence. We define the extent, or size S of a superposition, with respect to an observable x謠as being the range of outcomes of x蠰redicted by that superposition. Such superpositions are referred to as generalized S-scopic superpositions to distinguish them from the extreme superpositions that superpose only the two states that have a difference S in their prediction for the observable. We also consider generalized S-scopic superpositions of coherent states. We explore the constraints that are placed on the statistics if we suppose a system to be described by mixtures of superpositions that are restricted in size. In this way we arrive at experimental criteria that are sufficient to deduce the existence of a generalized S-scopic superposition. The signatures developed are useful where one is able to demonstrate a degree of squeezing. We also discuss how the signatures enable a new type of Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen gedanken experiment.
View less >
Journal Title
Physical Review A (Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics)
Volume
77
Issue
6
Publisher URI
Copyright Statement
© 2008 American Physical Society. This is the author-manuscript version of this paper. Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. Please refer to the journal link for access to the definitive, published version.
Subject
Mathematical sciences
Physical sciences
Foundations of quantum mechanics