Nonclassical states of light with a smooth $P$ function

Abstract

There is a common understanding in quantum optics that nonclassical states of light are states that do not have a positive semidefinite and sufficiently regular Glauber-Sudarshan $P$ function. Almost all known nonclassical states have $P$ functions that are highly irregular which makes working with them difficult and direct experimental reconstruction impossible. Here we introduce classes of nonclassical states with regular, non-positive-definite $P$ functions. They are constructed by "puncturing" regular smooth positive $P$ functions with negative Dirac-delta peaks, or other sufficiently narrow smooth negative functions. We determine the parameter ranges for which such punctures are possible without losing the positivity of the state, as well as the regimes yielding antibunching of light. Finally, we propose some possible experimental realizations of such states.

13 pages, 7 figures

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• Role of generalized parity in the symmetry of fluorescence spectrum from two-level systems under periodic frequency modulation
• Preparation of arbitrary quantum states with regular $P$~functions
• Selective continuous-variable quantum process tomography