Null weak values and the past of a quantum particle

Q. Duprey and A. Matzkin
Phys. Rev. A 95, 032110 – Published 13 March 2017

Abstract

Nondestructive weak measurements (WMs) made on a quantum particle are useful in order to extract information as the particle evolves from a prepared state to a finally detected state. The physical meaning of this information has been open to debate, particularly in view of the apparent discontinuous trajectories of the particle recorded by WMs. In this work we investigate the properties of vanishing weak values for projection operators as well as general observables. We then analyze the implications when inferring the past of a quantum particle. We provide a nonoptical example for which apparent discontinuous trajectories are obtained by WMs. Our approach is compared to previous results.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 1 December 2016

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.95.032110

©2017 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

General Physics

Authors & Affiliations

Q. Duprey1 and A. Matzkin1,2

  • 1Laboratoire de Physique Théorique et Modélisation (CNRS Unité 8089), Université de Cergy-Pontoise, 95302 Cergy-Pontoise Cedex, France
  • 2Institute for Quantum Studies, Chapman University, Orange, California 92866, USA

Comments & Replies

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 95, Iss. 3 — March 2017

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review A

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×