Electromagnetic field fluctuations and uncertainty relation for general quantum superpositions of coherent states

Abstract

Quantum statistical properties of general superpositions of coherent states of the type have been studied. Formulas for fluctuations (variances) of the coordinate and momentum quadratures and fluctuations of the number of photons in these states are obtained. The amplitude and phase superpositions of coherent states are considered separately. In the case of amplitude superpositions, a field under certain conditions occurs in a quadrature-squeezed state. At the same time, the photon distribution in the case of amplitude superpositions is always super-Poissonian. In the case of phase superpositions, a field under certain conditions occurs in quadrature-squeezed states for small average numbers of photons. For certain parameters of coherent states, the photon statistics in phase superpositions is sub-Poissonian. Using amplitude superpositions, it is possible to generate a microscopic electromagnetic field with the average photon number below or on the order of unity, as well as mesoscopic and even macroscopic fields with arbitrary large average photon numbers, characterized by significant quadrature squeezing. Using phase superpositions, it is possible to create under certain conditions the electromagnetic field states with sub-Poissonian statistics (squeezed distribution of photon numbers) for an arbitrary large average photon number. Expressions for a ‘strict’ coordinate–momentum uncertainty relation (Cauchy inequality) are obtained and analysed in cases of general, amplitude and phase superpositions of coherent states.