Non-classicality of optical fields as observed in photocount and photon-number distributions

Non-classicality criteria for optical fields based on the probabilities of photocount and photon-number distributions are derived. Relations among the criteria obtained by the applied methods are revealed. Redundant criteria are identified. The performance of the fundamental criteria is tested on a set of potentially sub-Poissonian fields generated by photon-number-resolved post-selection from a mesoscopic twin beam. The corresponding non-classicality depths are determined to quantitatively compare the used criteria. (C) 2020 Optical Society of America under the terms of the OSA Open Access Publishing Agreement