The utilization of time-reversal symmetry in designing and implementing (quantum) optical experiments has become more and more frequent over the last few years. We review the basic idea underlying time-reversal methods, illustrate it with several examples and discuss a number of implications.
Symmetries have a crucial role in today's physics. In this thesis, we are mostly concerned with time reversal invariance (T-symmetry). A physical system is time reversal invariant if its underlying laws are not sensitive to the direction of time. There are various accounts of time reversal transformation resulting in different views on whether or not a given theory in physics is time reversal invariant. With a focus on quantum mechanics, I describe the standard account of time reversal and compare it with my alternative account, arguing why it deserves serious attention. Then, I review three known ways to T-violation in quantum mechanics, and explain two unique experiments made to detect it in the neutral K and B mesons.
Driven-dissipative quantum systems generically do not satisfy simple notions of detailed balance based on the time symmetry of correlation functions.We show that such systems can nonetheless exhibit a hidden time-reversal symmetry, which most directly manifests itself in a doubled version of the original system prepared in an appropriate entangled thermofield double state.This hidden time-reversal symmetry has a direct operational utility: it provides a general method for finding exact solutions of nontrivial steady states.Special cases of this approach include the coherent quantum absorber and complex-P function methods from quantum optics.We also show that hidden time-reversal symmetry has observable consequences even in single-system experiments, and can be broken by the nontrivial combination of nonlinearity, thermal fluctuations, and driving.To illustrate our ideas, we analyze concrete examples of driven qubits and nonlinear cavities.These systems exhibit hidden time-reversal symmetry but not conventional detailed balance.
Driven-dissipative quantum systems generically do not satisfy simple notions of detailed balance based on the time symmetry of correlation functions. We show that such systems can nonetheless exhibit a hidden time-reversal symmetry, which most directly manifests itself in a doubled version of the original system prepared in an appropriate entangled thermofield double state. This hidden time-reversal symmetry has a direct operational utility: it provides a general method for finding exact solutions of nontrivial steady states. Special cases of this approach include the coherent quantum absorber and complex-P function methods from quantum optics. We also show that hidden time-reversal symmetry has observable consequences even in single-system experiments, and can be broken by the nontrivial combination of nonlinearity, thermal fluctuations, and driving. To illustrate our ideas, we analyze concrete examples of driven qubits and nonlinear cavities. These systems exhibit hidden time-reversal symmetry but not conventional detailed balance.