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Quantum limits for the magnetic sensitivity of a chemical compass

Jianming Cai, Filippo Caruso, and Martin B. Plenio
Phys. Rev. A 85, 040304(R) – Published 11 April 2012
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Abstract

The chemical compass model, based on radical pair reactions, is an idea to explain avian magnetoreception. At present, to the best of our knowledge, questions concerning the key ingredients responsible for the high sensitivity of a chemical compass and the possible role of quantum coherence and decoherence remain unsolved. Here, we investigate the optimized hyperfine coupling for a chemical compass in order to achieve the best magnetic field sensitivity. We show that its magnetic sensitivity limit can be further extended by simple quantum control and may benefit from additional decoherence. With this, we clearly demonstrate how quantum coherence can be exploited in the functioning of a chemical compass. The present results also provide routes toward the design of a biomimetic weak magnetic field sensor.

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  • Received 22 August 2011

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.85.040304

©2012 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Jianming Cai1, Filippo Caruso1,2, and Martin B. Plenio1

  • 1Institut für Theoretische Physik, Albert-Einstein Allee 11, Universität Ulm, D-89069 Ulm, Germany
  • 2LENS and Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia, Università di Firenze, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy

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Issue

Vol. 85, Iss. 4 — April 2012

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