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Classical versus non-classical photon states for detecting vacuum non-linearity
N. Ahmadiniaz, C. Kohlfürst, R. Shaisultanov, R. Schützhold·August 21, 2026
Quantum Physicshep-ph
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Abstract
Quantum electrodynamics (QED) predicts that the vacuum should behave as a non-linear medium. For many schemes aimed at verifying this fundamental prediction, the signal consists of one or more photons in a certain mode (determined by polarization $σ$ and wave-number $\boldsymbol{k}$) which would be empty in the absence of a QED vacuum non-linearity. Here we consider modifying these schemes by sending in a classical or non-classical (e.g., squeezed) photon state instead of the initial vacuum state in that mode. We find that the detectability can be improved significantly.