Squeeze operator

The squeeze operator for a single mode is

:$hat\{S\}(z)\; =\; exp\; left\; (\; \{1\; over\; 2\}\; (z^*\; hat\{a\}^2\; -\; z\; hat\{a\}^\{dagger\; 2\})\; ight\; )\; ,\; qquad\; z\; =\; r\; e^\{i\; heta\}$

where the operators inside the exponential are the ladder operators. The squeeze operator is ubiquitous in quantum optics and can operate on any state. For example, when acting upon the vacuum, the squeezing operator produces the squeezed vacuum state.

The squeezing operator can also act on coherent states and produce squeezed coherent states. It is important to note that the squeezing operator does not commute with the displacement operator:

$hat\{S\}(z)\; hat\{D\}(alpha)\; eq\; hat\{D\}(alpha)\; hat\{S\}(z)$

nor does it commute with the ladder operators, so one must pay close attention to how the operators are used.

See also

* Squeezed coherent state