Non-linear wave packet dynamics of coherent states of various symmetry groups

We present a comparative study of the non-linear wave packet dynamics of tw o-mode coherent states of the Heisenberg-Weyl group, the SU(1,1) group and the SU(2) group under the action of a model anharmonic Hamiltonian. In each case, we find certain generic signatures of non-linear evolution such as q uick onset of decoherence followed by Schrodinger cat formation and revival . We also report important differences in the evolution of coherent states belonging to different symmetry groups. (C) 1999 Optical Society of America .