Weyl functions are shown to be an important tool in quantum phase-space studies. Their properties are studied and relations with other quantities are derived. The use of Weyl functions for the understanding of quantum interference phenomena is discussed. The general theory is applied to superpositions of $m$ coherent states uniformly distributed on a circle (generalized Schrödinger cats). The properties of these states are explored and their interference behavior is discussed, using Weyl functions.

• Received 10 November 1997

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.58.848