Quantum complementarity <i>ad infinitum</i> : Switching higher-order coherence from infinity to zero

We reveal a sharp form of complementarity in the Janus state: a coherent superposition of two squeezed vacua. Using a compact generating-function formalism, we derive closed-form expressions for ${g}^{(k)}$ at all orders and introduce squeezing polynomials ${P}_{k}(z)$ that factorize the moments and expose phase-dependent scaling. The Janus state operates as a phase-tunable quantum switch for multiphoton correlations: when which-path or which-state information is available (trivial interference), the higher-order coherences ${g}^{(k)}$ reproduce the single-squeezed limit and diverge; when path information is erased and genuine interference from coherent superposition is enabled, multiphoton events are extinguished, driving ${g}^{(k)}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0$ for all $k\ensuremath{\ge}3$. We obtain a hierarchy of suppression with exponents set by the interference phase and the parity of $k$, and we visualize the mechanism via pronounced Wigner-function negativity. The framework is general and experimentally accessible, enabling engineered nonclassical light with tailored higher-order statistics.

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Publication Details

Journal
Physical review. A/Physical review, A
Published
2025-12-06
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1103/gxzt-164h
Primary Topic
Random lasers and scattering media
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Quantum complementarity ad infinitum : Switching higher-order coherence from infinity to zero

Karl J. Friston
Physical review. A/Physical review, A
Random lasers and scattering media
article

Quantum complementarity ad infinitum : Switching higher-order coherence from infinity to zero

Karl J. Friston
article en

Abstract

We reveal a sharp form of complementarity in the Janus state: a coherent superposition of two squeezed vacua. Using a compact generating-function formalism, we derive closed-form expressions for ${g}^{(k)}$ at all orders and introduce squeezing polynomials ${P}_{k}(z)$ that factorize the moments and expose phase-dependent scaling. The Janus state operates as a phase-tunable quantum switch for multiphoton correlations: when which-path or which-state information is available (trivial interference), the higher-order coherences ${g}^{(k)}$ reproduce the single-squeezed limit and diverge; when path information is erased and genuine interference from coherent superposition is enabled, multiphoton events are extinguished, driving ${g}^{(k)}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0$ for all $k\ensuremath{\ge}3$. We obtain a hierarchy of suppression with exponents set by the interference phase and the parity of $k$, and we visualize the mechanism via pronounced Wigner-function negativity. The framework is general and experimentally accessible, enabling engineered nonclassical light with tailored higher-order statistics.

Physical review. A/Physical review, AVol. 112(6)
Mitchell Institute (US), Texas A&M University (US)
Openalex Percentile: Top 67%
Random lasers and scattering media
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