The transition from quantum Zeno to anti-Zeno effects for a qubit in a cavity by varying the cavity frequency

We propose a strategy to demonstrate the transition from the quantum Zeno effect (QZE) to the anti-Zeno effect (AZE) using a superconducting qubit coupled to a transmission line cavity, by varying the central frequency of the cavity mode. Our results are obtained without the rotating wave approximation (RWA), and the initial state (a dressed state) is easy to prepare. Moreover, we find that in the presence of both qubit?s intrinsic bath and the cavity bath, the emergence of the QZE and the AZE behaviors relies not only on the match between the qubit energy-level-spacing and the central frequency of the cavity mode, but also on the coupling strength between the qubit and the cavity mode.     

Watching it boil: Continuous observation for the quantum zeno effect

The quantum Zeno effect (QZE) is often associated with the ironic maxim, “a watched pot never boils”, although the notion of “watching” suggests a continuous activity at odds with the usual (pulsed measurement) presentation of the QZE. We show how continuous watching can provide the same halting of decay as the usual QZE, and, for incomplete hindrance, we provide a precise connection between the interval between projections and the response time of the continuous observer. Thus, watching closely, but not so closely as to halt the “boiling”, is equivalent to—gives the same degree of partial hindrance as—pulsed measurements with a particular pulsing rate. Our demonstration is accomplished by treating the apparatus for the continuous watching as a fully quantum object. This in turn allows us a second perspective on the QZE, in which it is the modified level structure of the combined system/apparatus Hamiltonian that slows the decay. This and other considerations favor the characterization “dominated time evolution” for the QZE.     

量子测量对三维光子晶体中Λ型原子动力学性质的影响

讨论了量子测量对各向异性光子晶体中Λ型激发态原子衰减的影响，主要包括衰减的抑制和加速效应.研究发现，这样的量子测量效应不仅与原子共振频率相对于光子晶体带边的位置有关，还与量子测量本身的频率大小相关.由于各向异性光子晶体的影响，较小频率的量子测量也能得到抑制衰减的效应. 关键词： 量子测量 量子Zeno 和 反Zeno效应 光子晶体     

Some Mathematical Aspects of Quantum Zeno Effect

Mathematical investigations on quantum Zeno effect (QZE) are presented, including the following aspects: (i) QZE by frequent measurements made by an arbitrary partition of a time interval [0,?t] (t?>?0); (ii) non-occurrence of QZE for vector states which are not in the domain of the Hamiltonian of the quantum system under consideration; and (iii) asymptotic behavior of the survival probability characterizing QZE in the number N of divisions of [0,?t]; and (iv) QZE along a curve in the Hilbert space of state vectors.     

Quantum Anti-Zeno Effect in Nuclear Decay

The acceleration of decay induced by frequency measurements,namely the quantum anti-Zeno effect(AZE),was first predicted by Kofman and Kurizki [Nature 405(2000) 546].The effect of the frequency measurements on nuclear β decay rate is analyzed based on the time-dependent perturbation theory.We present a detailed calculation of the decay rates of ~3H,~(60)Co(β~-type),~(22)Na,~(106)Ag(β~+ type) and ~(18)F,~(57)Co and ~(111)Sn(EC type)under frequency measurements.It is found that the effects of frequency measurements on the decay rates of β~+and β~-cases are different from the case of EC,and the smaller the β decay energy is,the more favorable it is to observe the AZE in experiment.Based on our analysis,it is suggested that possible experimental candidates should have a small decay energy and a reasonable half life(such as ~3H) for observing the AZE in β decay.     

Quantum theory of continuous measurements and its applications in quantum optics

We present an overview of the quantum theory of continuous measurements and discuss some of its important applications in quantum optics. Quantum theory of continuous measurements is the appropriate generalization of the conventional formulation of quantum theory, which is adequate to deal with counting experiments where a detector monitors a system continuously over an interval of time and records the times of occurrence of a given type of event, such as the emission or arrival of a particle. We first discuss the classical theory of counting processes and indicate how one arrives at the celebrated photon counting formula of Mandel for classical optical fields. We then discuss the inadequacies of the so called quantum Mandel formula. We explain how the unphysical results that arise from the quantum Mandel formula are due to the fact that the formula is obtained on the basis of an erroneous identification of the coincidence probability densities associated with a continuous measurement situation. We then summarize the basic framework of the quantum theory of continuous measurements as developed by Davies. We explain how a complete characterization of the counting process can be achieved by specifying merely the measurement transformation associated with the change in the state of the system when a single event is observed in an infinitesimal interval of time. In order to illustrate the applications of the quantum theory of continuoius measurements in quantum optics, we first derive the photon counting probabilities of a single-mode free field and also of a single-mode field in interaction with an external source. We then discuss the general quantum counting formula of Chmara for a multi-mode electromagnetic field coupled to an external source. We explain how the Chmara counting formula is indeed the appropriate quantum generalization of the classical Mandel formula. To illustrate the fact that the quantum theory of continuous measurements has other diverse applications in quantum optics, besides the theory of photodetection, we summarize the theory of ‘quantum jumps’ developed by Zoller, Marte and Walls and Barchielli, where the continuous measurements framework is employed to evaluate the statistics of photon emission events in the resonance fluorescence of an atomic system.     

Quantum Zeno effect for exponentially decaying systems

The quantum Zeno effect--suppression of decay by frequent measurements--was believed to occur only when the response of the detector is so quick that the initial tiny deviation from the exponential decay law is detectable. However, we show that it can occur even for exactly exponentially decaying systems, for which this condition is never satisfied, by considering a realistic case where the detector has a finite energy band of detection. The conventional theories correspond to the limit of an infinite bandwidth. This implies that the Zeno effect occurs more widely than expected thus far.     

Quantum trajectory studies of many-atom and finite transit-time effects in a cavity QED microlaser or micromaser

Studies of microlasers and micromasers generally assume that at most one atom is present in the resonator and transit times are much shorter than cavity lifetimes. We use quantum trajectory simulations to investigate the behavior of a microlaser/micromaser in which multiple atoms may be present and atom transit times can be comparable to the cavity decay time. Many-atom events are shown to destroy trap state resonances even for a mean intracavity atom number as small as 0.1. Away from trap states, results for mean photon number agree with a single-atom, weak-decay theory. However the variance of the photon number distribution increases relative to micromaser theory by an amount proportional to the product of the interaction time and cavity decay rate. This excess variance is interpreted as resulting from cavity decay during the atomic transit time.     

Atomic Evolution and Entanglement of Two Qubits in Photon Superfluid

By using reservoir theory, we investigate the evolution of an atom placed in photon superfluid and study the entanglement properties of two qubits interacting with photon superfluid. It is found that the atomic decay rate in photon superfluid changes periodically with position of the atom and the decay rate can be inhibited compared to that in usual electromagnetic environment without photon superfluid. It is also found that when two atoms are separately immersed in their own local photon-superfluid reservoir, the entanglement sudden death or birth occurs or not only depends on the initial state of the qubits. What is more, we find a possible case that the concurrence between two qubits can remain a constant value by choosing proper values of parameters of the system, which may provide a new way to preserve quantum entanglement.     

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.     

An atom and a photon

The coherent control of single-photon emitters as, e.g., single ions or atoms, is a crucial element for mapping quantum information between light and matter. The possibility of generating entanglement between a photon and the emitter system provides an interface between matter-based quantum memories and photonic quantum communication channels, which is the essential resource for quantum repeaters and other future quantum information applications. To generate entangled atom-photon states, in our experiment, we store a single ⁸⁷Rb atom in an optical dipole trap. The single-atom/single-photon character is confirmed by the observation of photon antibunching in the detected fluorescence light. The spectral properties of single photons emitted by the atom allowed us to determine the mean kinetic energy of the atom corresponding to 105 μK. We describe a single-atom state analysis method which allowed us to characterize the entanglement between the atom and a single photon emitted in the spontaneous decay. We obtain an entanglement fidelity of 89% that clearly shows the high degree of entanglement in our system and potential for further applications in quantum communication.     

Quantum Information Splitting of an Arbitrary Three-Atom State in Cavity Quantum Electrodynamics

A cavity quantum electrodynamics scheme for implementing the deterministic quantum information splitting of an arbitrary three-atom state is proposed. In the scheme, a genuine five-atom entangled state and a Bell-state can be used as the quantum channel, which does not involve Bell-state measurement and only needs to perform the single-atom measurements. Our scheme is insensitive to both the cavity decay and the atom radiation, and considered here is secure against certain eavesdropping attacks.     

超导转变边沿单光子探测器原理与研究进展

量子信息技术近十多年来的快速发展对单光子探测器的性能提出了更高的要求,高性能单光子探测器也因此受到了更多的关注.与传统的单光子探测器相比,超导转变边沿(TES)单光子探测器在探测效率、能量分辨、光子数分辨和暗计数等方面具有突出优势.目前,超导TES单光子探测器已经被成功地应用在量子光学实验和量子密钥分配系统中,未来在量子信息技术等研究领域具有更广泛的应用.本文从超导TES单光子探测器的工作原理、制备流程、测试系统、主要性能指标以及研究现状和进展等方面对该探测器技术进行简要综述.     

Nonclassicality of resonance fluorescence via amplitude-intensity correlations

Conditional homodyne detection (CHD) allows a fresh view of the nonclassicality of optical fields. A balanced homodyne detector replaces a photodetector in the Hanbury-Brown-Twiss setup of photon correlations, thus measuring a quadrature (amplitude) of the field on the cue of a photon detection. In CHD, both quadratures of a quantum field violate classical inequalities even if photon correlations look classical. We calculate the amplitude-intensity correlations for the resonance fluorescence of a two-level atom and a three-level atom in the V configuration, notable producers of quantum effects (antibunching, squeezing, and sub-Poissonian statistics). In the V atom, where we consider that the ground state is coupled strongly (weakly) to a short (long) lived state, the strong transition resembles the two-level atom features, albeit with larger oscillations and a slower decay. However, the autocorrelation of the fluorescence of the weak transition is clearly asymmetric around a zero delay, indicating the breakdown of detailed balance, and violating the inequalities by orders of magnitude due to the low photon flux. Cross correlations of strong and weak channels also display antibunching and the loss of bounds.     

Quantum Zeno effect in trapped ions

A “continuous measurement” quantum Zeno effect (QZE) in the context of trapped ions is predicted. We describe the physical system and study its exact time evolution showing the appearance of Zeno phenomena. New indicators for the occurrence of QZE in oscillatory systems are proposed and carefully discussed.     

Quantum anti-Zeno effect by false measurements

We have investigated how the decay dynamics of an unstable quantum system is affected by a false measurement, where the decay is monitored by detecting a decay product but the active energy band of the detector does not match the energy of the decay product. It is shown that, although such a measurement is ineffective and has almost no effect if the detector response is slow, the detectability of decay is increased and the decay is accelerated considerably if the response is fast. This is due to the new decay channel, which is generated as a counteraction of measurement.     

Radiative and nonradiative decay rates in chromium-related centers in nanodiamonds

We address for the first time the measurement of nonradiative decay rates in Cr-related centers in nanodiamonds. Compared to our previous quantum efficiency measurement of Cr centers created in bulk diamond, separate measurements of radiative and nonradiative decay rates in grown nanodiamonds prove more challenging due to size dependence effects. We demonstrate in this Letter that, using defocused dipole imaging and collection efficiency calculation via finite-difference time-domain (FDTD), a quantum efficiency up to 0.9 can be inferred to Cr-related centers showing a 2-level system photon statistics.     

Many-Hilbert-spaces theory of quantum measurements

The many-Hilbert-spaces theory of quantum measurements, which was originally proposed by S. Machida and the present author, is reviewed and developed. Dividing a typical quantum measurement in two successive steps, the first being responsible for spectral decomposition and the second for detection, we point out that the wave packet reduction by measurement takes place at the latter step, through interaction of an object system with one of the local systems of detectors. First we discuss the physics of the detection process, using numerical simulations for a simple detector model, and then formulate a general theory of quantum measurements to give the wave packet reduction in an explicit form as a sort of phase transition. The derivation is based on the macroscopic nature of the local system, to be represented in a continuous direct sum of many Hilbert spaces, and on the finite-size effect of the local system, to give phase shifts proportional to size parameters. We give a definite criterion for examining any instrument as to whether it works well as a detector or not. Finally, we compare the present theory with famous measurement theories and propose a possible experimental test to discriminate it from others. A few solvable detector models are also discussed.     

Entanglement and the process of measuring the position of a quantum particle

We explore the entanglement-related features exhibited by the dynamics of a composite quantum system consisting of a particle and an apparatus (here referred to as the “pointer”) that measures the position of the particle. We consider measurements of finite duration, and also the limit case of instantaneous measurements. We investigate the time evolution of the quantum entanglement between the particle and the pointer, with special emphasis on the final entanglement associated with the limit case of an impulsive interaction. We consider entanglement indicators based on the expectation values of an appropriate family of observables, and also an entanglement measure computed on particular exact analytical solutions of the particle–pointer Schrödinger equation. The general behavior exhibited by the entanglement indicators is consistent with that shown by the entanglement measure evaluated on particular analytical solutions of the Schrödinger equation. In the limit of instantaneous measurements the system’s entanglement dynamics corresponds to that of an ideal quantum measurement process. On the contrary, we show that the entanglement evolution corresponding to measurements of finite duration departs in important ways from the behavior associated with ideal measurements. In particular, highly localized initial states of the particle lead to highly entangled final states of the particle–pointer system. This indicates that the above mentioned initial states, in spite of having an arbitrarily small position uncertainty, are not left unchanged by a finite-duration position measurement process.     

Quantum State Sharing by Using an Eight-Atom Composite W-Bell State in Cavity QED

We demonstrate that an eight-atom composite W-Bell state can be used to realize the deterministic quantum state sharing of an arbitrary two-atom state in cavity QED. In the scheme, it does not involve Bell-state measurement and only needs to perform the single-atom measurements. Our scheme is not sensitive to both the cavity decay and the atom radiation, which is of importance in view of decoherence.