- #1
Xyius
- 508
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So a coherent state in quantum mechanics is "the most classical" quantum state (A Gaussian wave packet), which satisfies the Heisenberg uncertainty relation with an equality. This allows the wave packet to travel in space in a more localized fashion (like a classical particle) because its uncertainty doesn't "float away" in time.
I have two questions.
The first question is, I have heard people say a laser is an example of a coherent state. Why is this? I know in the classical explanation, it is because all the waves inside the laser cavity are in phase and localized to a beam, this is said to be very coherent. But is a laser also an example of a quantum coherent state? And why?
My second question is, how would one go about MAKING these coherent state photons experimentally? I want to have some physical backing behind my understanding. Would an extremely attenuated laser pulse (so it is down to just a few photons) be an example of photons in a coherent state?
If anyone could help me understand this, it would be great!
I have two questions.
The first question is, I have heard people say a laser is an example of a coherent state. Why is this? I know in the classical explanation, it is because all the waves inside the laser cavity are in phase and localized to a beam, this is said to be very coherent. But is a laser also an example of a quantum coherent state? And why?
My second question is, how would one go about MAKING these coherent state photons experimentally? I want to have some physical backing behind my understanding. Would an extremely attenuated laser pulse (so it is down to just a few photons) be an example of photons in a coherent state?
If anyone could help me understand this, it would be great!