Generation of optical Schrödinger "cat" states using intense laser-matter interactions and applications in non-linear optics
Professor Paris Tzallas (Foundation for Research & Technology-Hellas; Center for Quantum Science & Technologies, Heraklion, Crete)
Recent theoretical and experimental investigations have shown that implementing fully quantized approaches in intense light–matter interactions opens new exciting ways for both fundamental research and applications in quantum technology and ultrafast science. These advances arise from the synergy between quantum optics, strong-field physics, and ultrafast science. Together, these advances have led to the development of the field of quantum optics and quantum electrodynamics in strong-field processes [1–4 and references therein]. At the core of this rapidly developing research field is the generation of non-classical and entangled light states, spanning from the far infrared (IR) to the extreme ultraviolet (XUV). This includes, coherent state superpostions (namely optical Schrödinger "cat" states) and squeezed light sources with mean photon numbers capable to induce non-linear process in matter. I will focus my talk on our most recent studies concerning the generation of optical “cat” states and their role in nonlinear optics. I will also highlight the potential of fully quantum approaches in laser-driven semiconductor crystals for developing non-classical and entangled light states in the VUV spectral region with attosecond pulse durations. Finally, I will briefly discuss a few additional key approaches developed more recently by other groups in this field, including our theoretical work on the propagation of bright squeezed-vacuum light states in nonlinear media.
References:
[1] U. Bhattacharya, et al., Rep. Prog. Phys. 86, 094401 (2023).
[2] P. Stammer, et al., PRX Quantum 4, 010201 (2023).
[3] Th. Lamprou, et al., J. Phys. B 58, 132001 (2025).
[4] P. Stammer et al., arXiv:2510.19045v1 (2025).
Recent theoretical and experimental investigations have shown that implementing fully quantized approaches in intense light–matter interactions opens new exciting ways for both fundamental research and applications in quantum technology and ultrafast science. These advances arise from the synergy between quantum optics, strong-field physics, and ultrafast science. Together, these advances have led to the development of the field of quantum optics and quantum electrodynamics in strong-field processes [1–4 and references therein]. At the core of this rapidly developing research field is the generation of non-classical and entangled light states, spanning from the far infrared (IR) to the extreme ultraviolet (XUV). This includes, coherent state superpostions (namely optical Schrödinger "cat" states) and squeezed light sources with mean photon numbers capable to induce non-linear process in matter. I will focus my talk on our most recent studies concerning the generation of optical “cat” states and their role in nonlinear optics. I will also highlight the potential of fully quantum approaches in laser-driven semiconductor crystals for developing non-classical and entangled light states in the VUV spectral region with attosecond pulse durations. Finally, I will briefly discuss a few additional key approaches developed more recently by other groups in this field, including our theoretical work on the propagation of bright squeezed-vacuum light states in nonlinear media.
References:
[1] U. Bhattacharya, et al., Rep. Prog. Phys. 86, 094401 (2023).
[2] P. Stammer, et al., PRX Quantum 4, 010201 (2023).
[3] Th. Lamprou, et al., J. Phys. B 58, 132001 (2025).
[4] P. Stammer et al., arXiv:2510.19045v1 (2025).
