Schmidt Decomposition and Coherence of Interfering Alternatives

The Schmidt decomposition and the correlational analysis based on it make it possible to identify statistical dependences between various subsystems of a single physical system. The systems under consideration can be both quantum states and classical probability distributions. In this study, two different physical systems are considered: quantum Schrödinger cat states and double-slit interference of microparticles. It is shown that the considered systems have a single internal structure and can be described in general terms of interfering alternatives. An effective approach is developed that allows us to calculate optical characteristics of interference such as visibility and coherence. It is shown that the scalar product of the states of the environment of interfering alternatives acts as a natural generalization of the classical complex parameter of the coherence of light oscillations, which determines the visibility of the interference pattern. A simple quantitative relationship is obtained between the visibility of the interference pattern and the Schmidt number, which determines the level of connection between a quantum system and its environment. The developed approaches are generalized to the case of multidimensional Schrödinger cat states.

Phase-space studies of backscattering diffraction of defective Schrödinger cat states

The coherent superposition of two well separated Gaussian wavepackets, with defects caused by their imperfect preparation, is considered within the phase-space approach based on the Wigner distribution function. This generic state is called the defective Schrödinger cat state due to this imperfection which significantly modifies the interference term. Propagation of this state in the phase space is described by the Moyal equation which is solved for the case of a dispersive medium with a Gaussian barrier in the above-barrier reflection regime. Formally, this regime constitutes conditions for backscattering diffraction phenomena. Dynamical quantumness and the degree of localization in the phase space of the considered state as a function of its imperfection are the subject of the performed analysis. The obtained results allow concluding that backscattering communication based on the defective Schrödinger cat states appears to be feasible with existing experimental capabilities.