Phase-space studies of backscattering diffraction of defective Schrödinger cat states.

The coherent superposition of two well separated Gaussian wavepackets, with defects caused by their imperfect preparation, is considered within the phase-space approach based on the Wigner distribution function. This generic state is called the defective Schrödinger cat state due to this imperfection which significantly modifies the interference term. Propagation of this state in the phase space is described by the Moyal equation which is solved for the case of a dispersive medium with a Gaussian barrier in the above-barrier reflection regime.