VORTEX STATES FOR THE QUANTIZED RADIATION-FIELD

We study the properties of wave-packet states with vortex structure. I n particular we present the characteristics of a two-mode radiation fi eld characterized by a configuration-space wave function psi(v)=(x-iy) (m)e(-(x2+y2)/2 sigma 2). We show the generation of such states by the interaction of Lambda systems with squeezed radiation in a two-mode c avity. The two modes are correlated due to entanglement, which also pr oduces the mixed stare of each mode even though the state of the two-m ode field is a pure state. [S1050-2947(97)04011-0].