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Wigner function and photon number distribution of a superradiant state in semiconductor heterostructures

Published version
Peer-reviewed

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Abstract

Advanced quantum technologies require sources of non-Gaussian and non-classical light. For the understanding of properties of quantum light it is necessary to reconstruct its quantum state. Here, we use time-domain optical homodyne tomography for the quantum state recognition and reconstruction of the femtosecond optical field from a nonequilibrium superradiant coherent electron-hole state formed in a semiconductor GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructure. We observe severe deviations from the Poissonian statistics of the photons associated with the coherent state when the transformation from lasing to superradiance occurs. The estimated Mandel parameter Q of the superradiant states is in the range of 1.08-1.89. The reconstructed Wigner functions show large areas of negative values, a characteristic sign of non-classicality, demonstrating the quantum nature of the generated superradiant emission. The photon number distribution and Wigner function of the SR state are very similar to those of the displaced Fock state.

Description

Keywords

superradiance, Wigner function, homodyne tomography, displaced Fock state

Journal Title

New Journal of Physics

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1367-2630
1367-2630

Volume Title

Publisher

Institute of Physics (IoP) and Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft
Sponsorship
EPSRC (via University of York) (EP/M013472/1)
EPSRC (via University of York) (EP/T001011/1)
EPSRC (Grant EP/M013472/1)