title: Generation of macroscopic superpositions in a micromaser.
abstract: At low temperatures steady-state macroscopic superpositions can be generated in the field of a micromaser pumped by a stream of two-level atoms injected in a coherent superposition of their upper and lower states. The onset of these superpositions resembles a second-order phase transition, with the control parameter being the ratio of the atomic injection rate to the cavity damping rate.
authors.affiliation: Optical Sciences Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA.
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Slosser
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Meystre
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Wright