The operator annihilating a single quantum of excitation in a bosonic field is one of the cornerstones for the interpretation and prediction of the behavior of the microscopic quantum world. Here we present a systematic experimental study of the effects of single-photon annihilation on some paradigmatic light states. In particular, by demonstrating the invariance of coherent states by this operation, we provide the first direct verification of their definition as eigenstates of the photon annihilation operator.
Subtracting photons from arbitrary light fields: experimental test of coherent state invariance by single-photon annihilation
Zavatta A;Bellini M
2008
Abstract
The operator annihilating a single quantum of excitation in a bosonic field is one of the cornerstones for the interpretation and prediction of the behavior of the microscopic quantum world. Here we present a systematic experimental study of the effects of single-photon annihilation on some paradigmatic light states. In particular, by demonstrating the invariance of coherent states by this operation, we provide the first direct verification of their definition as eigenstates of the photon annihilation operator.File in questo prodotto:
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