Decoherence of elliptical states in phase space

The effects of decoherence on elliptical states which concern the quantum superposition of N coherent states on an ellipse in the \alpha plane are studied. The characteristic decoherence times are determined. The evolutions of the Wigner functions associated with these states are investigated theoretically and the losses of nonclassicality as a result of decoherence are discussed. The result shows that the decoherence of elliptical states is slower than circular states relying on the number of coherent states and the amplitude, and the constructed states have a higher resilience to losses.