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.