We present a simple scheme using two identical cross-phase modulation processes in the decoherence environment to generate superpositions of two coherent states with the opposite phases, which are known as cat states. The scheme is shown to be robust against decoherence due to photon absorption losses and other errors, and the design of its experimental setup is also discussed.

• Received 26 January 2009

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.79.035802