Open AccessFormation of Schrödinger-cat states in the Morse potential: Wigner function picture
Author(s) -
Péter Földi,
Attila Czirják,
Balázs Molnár,
M. G. Benedict
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.10.000376
Subject(s) - wigner distribution function , coherent states , morse potential , physics , morse code , wave function , function (biology) , schrödinger's cat , quantum mechanics , state (computer science) , quantum , mathematics , algorithm , evolutionary biology , electrical engineering , biology , engineering
We investigate the time evolution of Morse coherent states in the potential of the NO molecule. We present animated wave functions and Wigner functions of the system exhibiting spontaneous formation of Schrödinger-cat states at certain stages of the time evolution. These nonclassical states are coherent superpositions of two localized states corresponding to two di.erent positions of the center of mass. We analyze the degree of nonclassicality as the function of the expectation value of the position in the initial state. Our numerical calculations are based on a novel, essentially algebraic treatment of the Morse potential.