Interaction-Free Measurement with Matter Waves

In the early 1990′s, A. Elitzur and L. Vaidman proposed an interaction-free measurement (IFM) that allows researchers to find infinitely fragile objects without destroying them. But the Elitzur-Vaidman IFM has been used only to determine the position of opaque objects. We propose a non-trivial extension of such a technique with matter waves, which allows measurement of classical fields. And we show severe limitations when we talk about gravitational fields.     

Gravitational scattering of massless scalars in QFT and superstring theory

In this paper we perform the calculation of the gravitational scattering amplitude for 4 massless scalars in quantum field theory and Type II superstring theory. We show that the results agree, providing an example of how gravity is incorporated in the superstring theory. During the calculation we quantize gravitational action to derive graviton propagator and interaction vertex with massless scalar. We also calculate general 3‐point and 4‐point scattering amplitudes in SST for open and closed massless strings in NS sector.     

Semi‐Classical Model of Strongly Correlated Coulomb Systems in Weak Magnetic Field

The integer and fractional quantum Hall effects are two remarkable macroscopic quantum phenomena occurring in two‐dimensional strongly correlated electronic systems at high magnetic fields and low temperatures. Quantization of Hall resistivity in the very high magnetic field regime at partial filling of the lowest Landau level indicates the stabilization of an electronic liquid quantum Hall phase of matter. Other interesting phases that differ from the quantum Hall phases take prominence in weaker magnetic fields when many more Landau levels are filled. These states manifest anisotropic magneto‐transport properties and, under certain conditions, appear to mimic charge density waves and/or liquid crystalline phases. One way to understand such a behavior has been in terms of effective interaction potentials confined to the highest Landau level partially filled with electrons. In this work we show that, for weak magnetic fields, such a quantum treatment of these strongly correlated Coulomb systems resembles a semi‐classical model of rotating electrons in which the time‐averaged interaction potential can be expressed solely in terms of guiding center coordinates. We discuss how the features of this semi‐classical effective potential may affect the stability of various strongly correlated electronic phases in the weak magnetic field regime (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Noisy intermediate-scale quantum computers

Quantum computers have made extraordinary progress over the past decade, and significant milestones have been achieved along the path of pursuing universal fault-tolerant quantum computers. Quantum advantage, the tipping point heralding the quantum era, has been accomplished along with several waves of breakthroughs. Quantum hardware has become more integrated and architectural compared to its toddler days. The controlling precision of various physical systems is pushed beyond the fault-tolerant threshold. Meanwhile, quantum computation research has established a new norm by embracing industrialization and commercialization. The joint power of governments, private investors, and tech companies has significantly shaped a new vibrant environment that accelerates the development of this field, now at the beginning of the noisy intermediate-scale quantum era. Here, we first discuss the progress achieved in the field of quantum computation by reviewing the most important algorithms and advances in the most promising technical routes, and then summarizing the next-stage challenges. Furthermore, we illustrate our confidence that solid foundations have been built for the fault-tolerant quantum computer and our optimism that the emergence of quantum killer applications essential for human society shall happen in the future.     

Approximate Real–Time Visualization of a Quantum Transition by Means of Continuous Fuzzy Measurement

For the detection of gravitational waves the quantum mechanical properties of the detector have to be taken into account. Not all gravitational wave detectors allow a quantum nondemolition (QND) measurement. Continuous weak or fuzzy measurements are an alternative to study the evolution of a quantum mechanical system under the influence of an external field. In the present paper we investigate this alternative by applying it to a simplified system. We numerically simulate continuous fuzzy measurements of the oscillations of a two-level atom subjected to a resonant external light field. We thereby address the question whether it is possible to measure characteristic features of the evolution of a single quantum system in real time without relying on a QND scheme. We compare two schemes of continuous measurement: continuous measurement with constant fuzziness and with fuzziness changing in the course of the measurement. Because the sensitivity of the two-level atom to the influence of the measurement depends on the state of the atom, it is possible to optimize the continuous fuzzy measurement by varying its fuzziness.     

Gravity and Spin Forces in Gravitational Quantum Field Theory

In the new framework of gravitational quantum field theory (GQFT) with spin and scaling gauge invariance developed in Phys. Rev. D 93 (2016) 024012-1, we make a perturbative expansion for the full action in a background field which accounts for the early inflationary universe. We decompose the bicovariant vector fields of gravifield and spin gauge field with Lorentz and spin symmetries SO(1,3) and SP(1,3) in biframe spacetime into SO(3) representations for deriving the propagators of the basic quantum fields and extract their interaction terms. The leading order Feynman rules are presented. A tree-level 2 to 2 scattering amplitude of the Dirac fermions, through a gravifield and a spin gauge field, is calculated and compared to the Born approximation of the potential. It is shown that the Newton's gravitational law in the early universe is modified due to the background field. The spin dependence of the gravitational potential is demonstrated.     

Gravity and the quantum vacuum inertia hypothesis

In previous work it has been shown that the electromagnetic quantum vacuum, or electromagnetic zero‐point field, makes a contribution to the inertial reaction force on an accelerated object. We show that the result for inertial mass can be extended to passive gravitational mass. As a consequence the weak equivalence principle, which equates inertial to passive gravitational mass, appears to be explainable. This in turn leads to a straightforward derivation of the classical Newtonian gravitational force. We call the inertia and gravitation connection with the vacuum fields the quantum vacuum inertia hypothesis . To date only the electromagnetic field has been considered. It remains to extend the hypothesis to the effects of the vacuum fields of the other interactions. We propose an idealized experiment involving a cavity resonator which, in principle, would test the hypothesis for the simple case in which only electromagnetic interactions are involved. This test also suggests a basis for the free parameter η(ν) which we have previously defined to parametrize the interaction between charge and the electromagnetic zero‐point field contributing to the inertial mass of a particle or object.     

Local and Non-Local Aspects of Quantum Gravity

The analysis of the measurement of gravitational fields leads to the Rosenfeld inequalities. They say that, as an implication of the equivalence of the inertial and passive gravitational masses of the test body, the metric cannot be attributed to an operator that is defined in the frame of a local canonical quantum field theory. This is true for any theory containing a metric, independently of the geometric framework under consideration and the way one introduces the metric in it. Thus, to establish a local quantum field theory of gravity one has to transit to non-Riemann geometry that contains (beside or instead of the metric) other geometric quantities. From this view, we discuss a Riemann–Cartan and an affine model of gravity and show them to be promising candidates of a theory of canonical quantum gravity.     

Exact quantization of Einstein-Rosen waves coupled to massless scalar matter

We show in this Letter that gravity coupled to a massless scalar field with full cylindrical symmetry can be exactly quantized by an extension of the techniques used in the quantization of Einstein-Rosen waves. This system provides a useful test bed to discuss a number of issues in quantum general relativity, such as the emergence of the classical metric, microcausality, and large quantum gravity effects. It may also provide an appropriate framework to study gravitational critical phenomena from a quantum point of view, issues related to black hole evaporation, and the consistent definition of test fields and particles in quantum gravity.     

腔光力学系统中的量子测量

腔光力学系统近年来迅猛发展, 在精密测量、量子传感等方面已展现出重要的应用价值. 特别是与微纳技术和冷原子技术结合后, 这一系统正发展成为研究量子测量与量子操控的理想平台. 本文首先综述腔光力学在量子测量, 尤其是量子测量基础理论研究方面的进展; 然后分析腔光力学系统中的量子测量原理; 最后介绍我们近来在这方面的研究进展, 并通过我们设计的一系列新颖的基于腔光力学系统的量子测量方案来具体展示该系统在量子测量、量子操控等方面的潜在应用.     

Pauli equation for a particle in metric and electromagnetic fields

A Pauli theory (Pauli equation and definition of probability current and density) for a particle in weak metric and arbitrary electromagnetic fields is treated. To formulate non-relativistic quantum mechanical problems in arbitrary electromagnetic fields and weak metrics (non-inertial systems, gravitational fields which are distant fields of arbitrary distribution of masses, gravitational waves) it is not necessary to make use of the general-relativistic Dirac equation. Close analogies to the known Pauli theory with electromagnetic fields exist. For different metric fields the corresponding Hamiltonians are given. For quantum systems (H-atoms) which are disturbed by a homogeneous gravitational field and a gravitational wave the resulting shift of energy levels and the transition probability is calculated.     

Light-Pressure Experiments by P. N. Lebedev and Modern Problems of Optomechanics and Quantum Optics

In connection with the 150th Anniversary of P. N. Lebedev, we present historical aspects of his scientific and organizing activity and recall his famous experimental observations and proof of the existence of light pressure along with other results that essentially influenced the development of physics in Russia and in the whole world as well. We discuss the relationship of these studies of electromagnetic waves and other kinds of vibrational phenomena investigated by P. N. Lebedev to modern studies of the interaction of photons with mirrors, gravitational waves, acoustic waves, nonstationary (dynamical) Casimir effect of photon creation in resonators with vibrating boundaries, and vibrations of voltage and current in superconducting circuits realizing the states of qubits and qudits. We discuss the possibility of existence of the nonstationary Casimir effect for gravitational waves and sound in liquid helium.     

Dark matter in quantum gravity

We show that quantum gravity, whatever its ultra-violet completion might be, could account for dark matter. Indeed, besides the massless gravitational field recently observed in the form of gravitational waves, the spectrum of quantum gravity contains two massive fields respectively of spin 2 and spin 0. If these fields are long-lived, they could easily account for dark matter. In that case, dark matter would be very light and only gravitationally coupled to the standard model particles.     

Interaction between gravity and moving superconductors

We propose a unified phenomenological theory to investigate the interaction between arbitrarily moving superconductors and gravitational fields including the Newtonian gravity, gravitational waves, vector transverse gravitoelectric fields, and vector gravitomagnetic fields. In the limit of weak field and low velocity, the expressions for the induced electromagnetic and gravitational fields in the interior of a moving superconductor are obtained. The Meissner effect, London moment, DeWitt effect, effects of gravitational wave on a superconductor, and induced electric fields in the interior of a freely vibrating superconductor are recovered from these two expressions. We demonstrate that the weak equivalence principle is valid in superconductivity, that Newtonian gravity and gravitational waves will penetrate either a moving superconductor or a superconductor at rest, and that a superconductor at rest cannot shield either vector gravitomagnetic fields or vector transverse gravitoelectric fields.     

Hamiltonian Ratchets with Ultra‐Cold Atoms

Quantum‐resonance ratchets have been realized over the last ten years for the production of directed currents of atoms. These non‐dissipative systems are based on the interaction of a Bose‐Einstein condensate with an optical standing wave potential to produce a current of atoms in momentum space. In this paper we provide a review of the important features of these ratchets with a particular emphasis on their optimization using more complex initial states. We also examine their stability close to resonance conditions of the kicking. Finally we discuss the way in which these ratchets may pave the way for applications in quantum (random) walks and matter‐wave interferometry.