Preparation of nonclassical states and measurement of the Wigner function for the collective motion of N trapped ions

We propose a scheme for generating nonclassical states for the centre-of-mass vibrational mode of N trapped ions, including superpositions of several coherent states on a circle and Fock states. In the scheme N trapped ions are driven by a laser beam tuned to the carrier. The scheme also provides a new prospect for laser cooling. The scheme can be used to measure the Wigner function of the collective vibrational mode.