Quantum Zeno effect in cavity quantum electrodynamics: Experimental proposal with nonideal cavities and detectors

R. Rossi, Jr., A. R. Bosco de Magalhães, and M. C. Nemes
Phys. Rev. A 77, 012107 – Published 18 January 2008

Abstract

We propose an experiment for the observation of the quantum Zeno effect (QZE) in a bipartite system. The setup involves two microwave cavities and a “tunneling” photon, which is observed by the passage of Rydberg atoms. Our proposal allows for the consideration of two types of measurements, namely, sequential observations of the atomic state and its inclusive measurement. In the present system the two processes are shown to lead to the same result in the ideal case. We consider realistic atom-field interaction times, cavity dissipation, and limited detection efficiency. Analytical expressions for the “tunneling” probability are obtained exhibiting a competition between the environment induced exponential decay and the characteristic t2 (for short times) dependence of the QZE. We show that for sufficiently small dissipation constants the effect can be observed with current experimental facilities.

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  • Received 28 September 2007

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.77.012107

©2008 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

R. Rossi, Jr.1, A. R. Bosco de Magalhães2, and M. C. Nemes1

  • 1Departamento de Física, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Caixa Postale 702, 30161-970, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
  • 2Departamento de Física e Matemática, Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica de Minas Gerais, 30510-000, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil

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Vol. 77, Iss. 1 — January 2008

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