
It is demonstrated that a weak measurement of the squared quadrature observable may yield negative values for coherent states. This result cannot be reproduced by a classical theory where quadratures are stochastic $c$-numbers. The real part of the weak value is a conditional moment of the Margenau-Hill distribution. The nonclassicality of coherent states can be associated with negative values of the Margenau-Hill distribution. A more general type of weak measurement is considered, where the pointer can be in an arbitrary state, pure or mixed.
4 pages. Some arguments rewritten, reference added to quant-ph/0402050. Conclusion unchanged
Quantum Physics, Kirkwood distribution, weak measurements, nonclassicality, FOS: Physical sciences, Quantum measurement theory, state operations, state preparations, coherent states, Margenau-Hill distribution, \(P\)-distribution, weak values, Coherent states, Quantum Physics (quant-ph)
Quantum Physics, Kirkwood distribution, weak measurements, nonclassicality, FOS: Physical sciences, Quantum measurement theory, state operations, state preparations, coherent states, Margenau-Hill distribution, \(P\)-distribution, weak values, Coherent states, Quantum Physics (quant-ph)
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