Quantum superpositions of flow states on a ring

Abstract

We propose a scheme to generate quantum superpositions of macroscopically distinct flow states of ultracold atoms on a ring using Raman coupling employing a quantized laser field that is a cat-like superposition of optical vortices with opposite winding numbers. For atoms initially in their ground state and entangled optical vortices of coherent states, this scheme can produce a superposition of rotating and non-rotating states. We find fidelities of the quantum superpositions around 0.9 even before optimization.