Manipulating the non-Gaussianity of phase-randomized coherent states

We experimentally investigate the non-Gaussian features of the phase-randomized coherent states, a class of states exploited in communication channels and in decoy state-based quantum key distribution protocols. In particular, we reconstruct their phase-insensitive Wigner functions and quantify their non-Gaussianity. The measurements are performed in the mesoscopic photon-number domain by means of a direct detection scheme involving linear detectors. (C) 2012 Optical Society of America