Multiphoton subtracted thermal states: description, preparation, measurement and utilization

Photon creation and annihilation are two basic operators in quantum optics. Their experimental implementation provides a perfect toolbox for quantum state engineering. The simplest quantum states, which can be modified both by photon creation and annihilation are thermal states of light. Therefore, the multiphoton subtracted thermal states (MPSTS) draw attention of quantum optics experimentalists last decade. Despite its simplicity they serve as a good testing area for study of a number of quantum phenomena. In the current work we give a review of the recent works related to MPSTS: their theoretical description, preparation and measurement technique and their utilization as a testing area for studying some quantum phenomena like non-Gaussianity, Photonic Maxwell‟s Demon, Quantum Vampire and so on.