# coherent state Definition and Topics - 12 Discussions

In physics, specifically in quantum mechanics, a coherent state is the specific quantum state of the quantum harmonic oscillator, often described as a state which has dynamics most closely resembling the oscillatory behavior of a classical harmonic oscillator. It was the first example of quantum dynamics when Erwin Schrödinger derived it in 1926, while searching for solutions of the Schrödinger equation that satisfy the correspondence principle. The quantum harmonic oscillator (and hence the coherent states) arise in the quantum theory of a wide range of physical systems. For instance, a coherent state describes the oscillating motion of a particle confined in a quadratic potential well (for an early reference, see e.g.
Schiff's textbook). The coherent state describes a state in a system for which the ground-state wavepacket is displaced from the origin of the system. This state can be related to classical solutions by a particle oscillating with an amplitude equivalent to the displacement.
These states, expressed as eigenvectors of the lowering operator and forming an overcomplete family, were introduced in the early papers of John R. Klauder, e. g.
In the quantum theory of light (quantum electrodynamics) and other bosonic quantum field theories, coherent states were introduced by the work of Roy J. Glauber in 1963 and are also known as Glauber states.
The concept of coherent states has been considerably abstracted; it has become a major topic in mathematical physics and in applied mathematics, with applications ranging from quantization to signal processing and image processing (see Coherent states in mathematical physics). For this reason, the coherent states associated to the quantum harmonic oscillator are sometimes referred to as canonical coherent states (CCS), standard coherent states, Gaussian states, or oscillator states.

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1. ### A Cat state acting on given Hamiltonian

For example if I consider H = (a^†)b+a(b^†), how will it act on even coherent state i.e. |α⟩+|-α⟩?. I know that |α⟩ don't act on (a^†) because |α⟩ is a eigenstate of lowering operator.
2. ### Integration of coherent state

I began this solution by assuming a = x+iy since a is a complex number. So I wrote expressions of <a| and |a> in which |n><n| = I. I got the following integral: Σ 1/πn! ∫∫ dx dy exp[-(x^2 + y^2)] (x^2 + y^2)^n I I tried solving it using Integration by Parts but got stuck in the (x^2 + y^2)^n...
3. ### Quadrature distribution for an optical mode in the coherent state

Hey there, the task i'm working on is written below. Find the quadrature distribution ρ(q), for an optical mode being in the coherent state |α>. Hint: use ∑Hn(x)*(t^n)/(n!) I really am struggling with this type of tasks :D I tried to follow a solved example that I found in my workbook, but...
4. ### A rather weird form of a coherent state

As far as I know we can express the position and momentum operators in terms of ladder operators in the following way {\begin{aligned}{ {x}}&={\sqrt {{\frac {\hbar }{2}}{\frac {1}{m\omega }}}}(a^{\dagger }+a)\\{{p}}&=i{\sqrt {{\frac {\hbar }{2}}m\omega }}(a^{\dagger }-a)~.\end{aligned}}....
5. ### Coherent states for Klein-Gordon field

Homework Statement Show that the coherent state ##|c\rangle=exp(\int \frac{d^3p}{(2\pi)^3}c(\vec{p})a^{\dagger}_{\vec{p}})|0\rangle## is an eigenstate of the anhiquilation operator ##a_{\vec{p}}##. Express it in terms of the states of type ##|\vec{p}_1...\vec{p}_N\rangle## Homework Equations...
6. ### I What is the meaning of coherent states of mean photon number

I am studying Quantum Cryptography and I am quite new in Quantum area. I have read an article and I found this confusing statement: My questions: 1. The three stage protocol implementing multiphoton. What is the meaning of coherent states of mean photon number? 2. How to describe the quantum...
7. ### I Understanding Continuous Variable QKD

So, I am doing my undergraduate research project in Quantum Cryptography, and I have some confusion in a few areas, especially in the topic of continuous variable quantum key distribution. From what I understand, Discrete Variable - Single photon. That is, for example, the BB84 protocol. Bob...
8. ### I How do I find this state |j,m=j> to calculate another state?

I’m confused about how you find the vector |s;s⟩ to use in the general equation |θ,ϕ⟩=exp(−iϕS3) * exp(−iθS2) |s;s⟩ For spin Coherent states (From http://www.scholarpedia.org/article/Coherent_state_(Quantum_mechanics)#4._Spin_Coherent_States Eq 12) Or how you find the vector |j,m=j⟩ to use...
9. ### I Confusion about initial states and coherent states

I've found online that the coherent state of the harmonic oscillator is |\alpha \rangle = c \sum_{n=0}^\infty \frac{\alpha^n}{\sqrt{n!}} | n\rangle where |n\rangle = \frac{(a^\dagger)^n}{\sqrt{n!}} |0\rangle and |0> is called the initial state. I've some code where I need to have this...
10. ### I The Lagrangian of a Coherent State

How does one write a Lagrangian of a coherent state of vector fields (of differing energy levels) in terms of the the individual Lagrangians? I desperately need to know how to know to do this, for a theory of mine to make any progress. Please stick with me, if I didn't make sense just ask...
11. ### I Coupling Spin-0 and spin-1 fields

My question is, how does one get a wave function for a 'combined' spin-1 and a spin-0 field? How is this possible? I have only been able to find combined states for equal spin identical particles. If you don't understand my question, I'll be glad to reword it.
12. ### Harmonic oscillator coherent state wavefunction

Hi, I am trying to find the wavefunction of a coherent state of the harmonic oscillator ( potential mw2x2/2 ) with eigenvalue of the lowering operator: b. I know you can do this is many ways, but I cannot figure out why this particular method does not work. It can be shown (and you can find...