Observing the nonclassicality of a quantum state
Th. Richter, W. Vogel · Journal of Optics B Quantum and Semiclassical Optics · 2003
Necessary and sufficient conditions are derived that allow one to completely characterize the nonclassicality of an arbitrary quantum state of a harmonic oscillator. Starting from a theorem by Bochner we derive an infinite hierarchy of conditions for the characteristic functions of the quantum state. Following the hierarchy step by step, the nonclassicality can be classified with respect to increasing orders. The full hierarchy of conditions is completely equivalent to the most commonly accepted criterion for nonclassicality: the failure of the Glauber–Sudarshan P -function to be a probability density. Our reformulated version of the criterion is directly related to measurable quantities that can be observed in phase-sensitive measurements such as homodyne detection. It directly generalizes a criterion for nonclassicality (Vogel 2000 Phys. Rev. Lett. 84 1849) that has already been applied in experiments (Lvovsky and Shapiro 2002 Phys. Rev. A 65 033830). Examples of phase-insensitive quantum states are considered that exhibit no first-order nonclassical effects, but that are nonclassical in second order.