Kapitza-Dirac Blockade: A Universal Tool for the Deterministic Preparation of Non-Gaussian Oscillator States

Harmonic oscillators count among the most fundamental quantum systems with important applications in molecular physics, nanoparticle trapping, and information processing. Their equidistant energy level spacing is often a desired feature, but at same time challenge if goal to deterministically populate specific eigenstates. Here, we show how interference transition amplitudes bichromatic laser field can suppress sequential climbing of harmonic oscillator states (Kapitza-Dirac blockade) achieve selective excitation eigenstates, Schr\"{o}dinger cats other non-Gaussian states. This technique transform into coherent two-level system or be used build large-momentum-transfer beam splitter for matter-waves. To illustrate universality concept, discuss feasible experiments that cover many orders magnitude mass, from single electrons over large molecules dielectric nanoparticles.