SCHRODINGER-CAT-LIKE STATES FOR QUANTUM FUNDAMENTAL SOLITONS IN OPTICAL FIBERS

The generation of Schrodinger-cat-like states for quantum fundamental solitons in optical fibers is investigated. It is shown that the gener ation is possible at proper times in the dynamical evolution of an app ropriately chosen initial state. Such a Schrodinger-cat-like state has a minimum number of components, three, and the superposition coeffici ents of components are all real. Mean values of the field and the inte nsity operators are calculated and the associated quantum interference behavior characteristic of quantum coherent superposition in the Schr odinger-cat-like states is revealed. The effect of dissipation on the Schrodinger-cat-like states is analyzed using a beam splitter. The sev erity with which losses tend to destroy interference between component s of the input Schrodinger-cat-like state is noted.