Zheng-Hong Li, Fei Yu, Zhen-Ya Li, M. Al-Amri, M. Suhail Zubairy
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Cat states, as an important resource in the study of macroscopic quantum superposition and quantum information applications, have garnered widespread attention. To date, preparing large-sized optical cat states has remained challenging. We demonstrate that, by utilizing interaction-free measurement and the quantum Zeno effect, even a fragile quantum microscopic system can deterministically control and become entangled with strong light fields, thereby generating large-amplitude optical cat states. During the entire preparation process, our method ensures that the microscopic system functions within a weak field environment, so that its quantum property can be protected. Furthermore, we show that the preparation of cat states is possible even when the quantum microsystem suffers from significant photon loss, provided that optical losses from classical devices are kept low, which implies that the fidelity of the cat state can be enhanced by improvements to and the perfection of the classical optical system. In quantum physics, superposition—illustrated by Schrödinger’s cat being both dead and alive—inspires ‘cat states’, utilized in quantum technologies. The authors propose a theory where the optical state, through multiple indirect atom interactions in an interferometric setup, can generate large-amplitude optical cat states, advancing quantum applications.
期刊介绍:
Communications Physics is an open access journal from Nature Research publishing high-quality research, reviews and commentary in all areas of the physical sciences. Research papers published by the journal represent significant advances bringing new insight to a specialized area of research in physics. We also aim to provide a community forum for issues of importance to all physicists, regardless of sub-discipline.
The scope of the journal covers all areas of experimental, applied, fundamental, and interdisciplinary physical sciences. Primary research published in Communications Physics includes novel experimental results, new techniques or computational methods that may influence the work of others in the sub-discipline. We also consider submissions from adjacent research fields where the central advance of the study is of interest to physicists, for example material sciences, physical chemistry and technologies.