Progressive field-state collapse and quantum non-demolition photon counting

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Guerlin, Christine and Bernu, Julien and Deleglise, Samuel and Sayrin, Clement and Gleyzes, Sebastien and Kuhr, Stefan and Brune, Michel and Raimond, Jean-Michel and Haroche, Serge (2007) Progressive field-state collapse and quantum non-demolition photon counting. Nature, 448. pp. 889-893. ISSN 0028-0836 (https://doi.org/10.1038/nature06057)

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Abstract

The irreversible evolution of a microscopic system under measurement is a central feature of quantum theory. From an initial state generally exhibiting quantum uncertainty in the measured observable, the system is projected into a state in which this observable becomes precisely known. Its value is random, with a probability determined by the initial system's state. The evolution induced by measurement (known as 'state collapse') can be progressive, accumulating the effects of elementary state changes. Here we report the observation of such a step-by-step collapse by non-destructively measuring the photon number of a field stored in a cavity. Atoms behaving as microscopic clocks cross the cavity successively. By measuring the light-induced alterations of the clock rate, information is progressively extracted, until the initially uncertain photon number converges to an integer. The suppression of the photon number spread is demonstrated by correlations between repeated measurements. The procedure illustrates all the postulates of quantum measurement (state collapse, statistical results and repeatability) and should facilitate studies of non-classical fields trapped in cavities.

ORCID iDs

Guerlin, Christine, Bernu, Julien, Deleglise, Samuel, Sayrin, Clement, Gleyzes, Sebastien, Kuhr, Stefan ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8386-5357, Brune, Michel, Raimond, Jean-Michel and Haroche, Serge;
  • Item type:Article
    ID code:43768
    Dates:
    Date
    Event
    23 August 2007
    Published
    Subjects:Science > Physics
    Department:Faculty of Science > Physics
    Depositing user: Pure Administrator
    Date deposited:09 May 2013 13:07
    Last modified:17 Nov 2024 11:25
    URI:https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/43768
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