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Nonlinear atomic homodyne detection: A technique to detect macroscopic superpositions in a micromaser

Journal Article · · Physical Review, A; (USA)
;  [1]
  1. Optical Sciences Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721 (US)

We propose a measurement scheme to detect the multiphoton coherences inherent in the macroscopic quantum superpositions that can be generated in a superconducting micromaser cavity. The scheme is a nonlinear version of a single-atom homodyne detector. It is shown that the ionization probability of a single test atom is given in terms of the Wigner characteristic function of the field.

OSTI ID:
5633906
Journal Information:
Physical Review, A; (USA), Journal Name: Physical Review, A; (USA) Vol. 43:7; ISSN 1050-2947; ISSN PLRAA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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