Schrödinger kitten and cat states characterisation using only continuous variables and Gaussian resources

Here we experimentally reconstruct the photon subtracted squeezed vacuum state using only Gaussian resources and ensemble measurements. A quantum state with very high fidelity to the small Schrδdinger cat state (´kitten´ state) can be obtained via subtraction of a single photon from the squeezed vacuum. Larger and more ´cat´-like states can be obtained by subtracting more than one quanta from the squeezed vacuum. The photon subtraction is accomplished with a beam splitter of low reflectivity.