A PROPOSAL FOR GENERATING SCHRODINGER CAT STATES OF THE MOTION OF A TRAPPED ION

We propose a scheme for generating Schrodinger cat states of the motio n of a trapped ion. In this scheme, an ion is trapped in a one-dimensi onal harmonic potential and driven by one standing-wave laser field tu ned to the ion transition. After a short interaction time, a condition al measurement of the electronic state may leave the motion in a Schro dinger cat state. The scheme can also be used to prepare motional two- mode cat states of an ion trapped in an isotropic two-dimensional harm onic potential. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.