Abstract
Perhaps the simplest way of including quantum mechanics, in various problems in quantum optics, is by use of the classical-quantum-correspondence method, by means of which one replaces quantum-mechanical operators by complex numbers. This is carried out by means of quasi-classical distribution functions and here we address the question of which is the best choice of function from the large selection available. Whereas Glauber's P(α) distribution is useful in many applications, it does not exist as a well-behaved function in many others. In such cases, a more useful function is the generalized P-representation of Drummond and Gardiner. However, based on simplicity and overall applicability, we conclude that Wigner's function also has a claim to be the optimum choice.
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O'Connell, R.F. (1983). Distribution functions in quantum optics. In: Harvey, J.D., Walls, D.F. (eds) Laser Physics. Lecture Notes in Physics, vol 182. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-12305-9_16
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-12305-9_16
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