Kerr-induced non-Gaussianity of a bright ultrafast quantum state

Rasputnyi A, Karuseichyk I, Leuchs G, Tani F, Seletskiy D, Chekhova M (2026)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

Optica Optical Society of America

Book Volume: 13

Pages Range: 1232-1237

Journal Issue: 7

DOI: 10.1364/OPTICA.599324

Abstract

Characterizing macroscopic quantum states of light is a frontier challenge at the interface of quantum optics and high-intensity photonics. Here, we demonstrate the first, to our knowledge, direct phase-space tomography of a bright, ultrafast quantum state. We adapt a single-shot f-2f interferometer to sample the Husimi Q-function of a 25 fs bright squeezed vacuum (BSV) pulse (mean photon number N ∼ 1012) subject to Kerr nonlinearity. Our measurement reveals a clear transformation from a Gaussian distribution with pronounced quadrature antisqueezing to a characteristic "S"-shaped profile as the intensity-dependent nonlinear phase increases. Crucially, we show theoretically that despite optical loss, the state does not degrade into classically modulated light but is rigorously described as a statistical mixture of squeezed coherent states. While global Wigner negativity is masked by technical noise, our results show theoretically that the constituent states individually retain strong Wigner-negative features. This work bridges quantum optics and high-intensity photonics, establishing a platform for diagnosing bright quantum resources.

Involved external institutions

Max-Planck-Institut für die Physik des Lichts (MPL) / Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light DE Germany (DE) Laboratoire d'Optique Appliquée LOA FR France (FR) École Polytechnique de Montréal CA Canada (CA)

How to cite

APA:

Rasputnyi, A., Karuseichyk, I., Leuchs, G., Tani, F., Seletskiy, D., & Chekhova, M. (2026). Kerr-induced non-Gaussianity of a bright ultrafast quantum state. Optica, 13(7), 1232-1237. https://doi.org/10.1364/OPTICA.599324

MLA:

Rasputnyi, Andrei, et al. "Kerr-induced non-Gaussianity of a bright ultrafast quantum state." Optica 13.7 (2026): 1232-1237.

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