Superconducting analogs of quantum optical phenomena: Macroscopic quantum superpositions and squeezing in a superconducting quantum-interference device ring

M. J. Everitt, T. D. Clark, P. B. Stiffell, A. Vourdas, J. F. Ralph, R. J. Prance, and H. Prance
Phys. Rev. A 69, 043804 – Published 5 April 2004

Abstract

In this paper we explore the quantum behavior of a superconducting quantum-interference device (SQUID) ring which has a significant Josephson coupling energy. We show that the eigenfunctions of the Hamiltonian for the ring can be used to create macroscopic quantum superposition states of the ring. We also show that the ring potential may be utilized to squeeze coherent states. With the SQUID ring as a strong contender as a device for manipulating quantum information, such properties may be of great utility in the future. However, as with all candidate systems for quantum technologies, decoherence is a fundamental problem. In this paper we apply an open systems approach to model the effect of coupling a quantum-mechanical SQUID ring to a thermal bath. We use this model to demonstrate the manner in which decoherence affects the quantum states of the ring.

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  • Received 23 August 2002

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.69.043804

©2004 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

M. J. Everitt1,*, T. D. Clark1,†, P. B. Stiffell1, A. Vourdas2, J. F. Ralph3, R. J. Prance1, and H. Prance1

  • 1Centre for Physical Electronics and Quantum Technology, School of Science and Technology, University of Sussex, Brighton, Sussex BN1 9QT, United Kingdom
  • 2Department of Computing, Bradford University, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD7 1DP, United Kingdom
  • 3Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Liverpool University, Brownlow Hill, Liverpool L69 3GJ, United Kingdom

  • *Electronic address: m.j.everitt@sussex.ac.uk
  • Electronic address: t.d.clark@sussex.ac.uk

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Issue

Vol. 69, Iss. 4 — April 2004

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