The quantum Zeno effect typically refers to freezing the dynamics of a quantum system through frequent observations. In general, quantum Zeno dynamics is obtained with an error of order $\mathcal{O}(1/N)$ , where $N$ is the number of projective measurements performed within a fixed evolution time. In this work, we develop higher-order Zeno sequences that achieve faster convergence to Zeno dynamics, yielding an improved error scaling of $\mathcal{O}(1/N^{2k})$ , where $k$ describes the order of the Zeno sequence. This is achieved by relating higher-order Zeno sequences to higher-order Trotter formulas that achieve similar convergence behavior. We leverage this relation to develop higher-order Zeno sequences for different manifestations of the quantum Zeno effect, including frequent projective measurements and unitary kicks. We go on to discuss achieving quantum Zeno dynamics through periodic control fields of high frequency. We explicitly develop control fields that yield a second-order type improvement in the Zeno error scaling and present shorter Zeno sequences. Finally, we discuss the connection to randomized and Uhrig dynamical decoupling to develop more efficient implementations in the weak coupling regime.The quantum Zeno effect typically refers to freezing the dynamics of a quantum system through frequent observations. In general, quantum Zeno dynamics is obtained with an error of order $\mathcal{O}(1/N)$, where $N$ is the number of projective measurements performed within a fixed evolution time. In this work, we develop higher-order Zeno sequences that achieve faster convergence to Zeno dynamics, yielding an improved error scaling of $\mathcal{O}(1/N^{2k})$, where $k$ describes the order of the Zeno sequence. This is achieved by relating higher-order Zeno sequences to higher-order Trotter formulas that achieve similar convergence behavior. We leverage this relation to develop higher-order Zeno sequences for different manifestations of the quantum Zeno effect, including frequent projective measurements and unitary kicks. We go on to discuss achieving quantum Zeno dynamics through periodic control fields of high frequency. We explicitly develop control fields that yield a second-order type improvement in the Zeno error scaling and present shorter Zeno sequences. Finally, we discuss the connection to randomized and Uhrig dynamical decoupling to develop more efficient implementations in the weak coupling regime.

quant-pharXiv:2511.20792Physical Review ResearchNov 27, 20250 citations

Zeno dynamics for open quantum systems

J. Gough

In this paper, we formulate limit Zeno dynamics of general open systems as the adiabatic elimination of fast components. We are able to exploit previous work on adiabatic elimination of quantum stochastic models to give explicitly the conditions under which open Zeno dynamics will exist. The open systems formulation is further developed as a framework for Zeno master equations, and Zeno filtering (that is, quantum trajectories based on a limit Zeno dynamical model). We discuss several models from the point of view of quantum control. For the case of linear quantum stochastic systems, we present a condition for stability of the asymptotic Zeno dynamics.In this paper, we formulate limit Zeno dynamics of general open systems as the adiabatic elimination of fast components. We are able to exploit previous work on adiabatic elimination of quantum stochastic models to give explicitly the conditions under which open Zeno dynamics will exist. The open systems formulation is further developed as a framework for Zeno master equations, and Zeno filtering (that is, quantum trajectories based on a limit Zeno dynamical model). We discuss several models from the point of view of quantum control. For the case of linear quantum stochastic systems, we present a condition for stability of the asymptotic Zeno dynamics.

arXiv:1404.2454Russian Journal of Mathematical PhysicsJul 1, 20144 citations

Dynamical origin of the quantum Zeno effect

Saverio Pascazio

Foundations of PhysicsDec 1, 19978 citations

Engineering of Zeno Dynamics in Integrated Photonics

Quancheng Liu, Weijie Liu, K. Ziegler +1 more

Frequent observations to a quantum system modify its coherent evolution through the Zeno effect and Zeno dynamics. Generally, the measurement process destroys the evolution environment of the monitored system, making repeated observations remain a challenge. Here, using the quantum analogy experiments, we realize and engineer the Zeno effect and Zeno dynamics in optical waveguide arrays, where the optical modes correspond to distinct quantum states, and the temporal evolution is mapped into the spatial propagation. We propose a new, extensible experimental strategy for realizing an optical analog of stroboscopic measurements, which are performed by the build-in, on-demand segmented waveguide portions. The weak-to-strong stroboscopic measurements are realized, where the monitored system undergoes a transition from free evolution to optical Zeno freezing. Setting the measurements in the strong regime, the optical Zeno effect and optical Zeno dynamics are successfully generated, and their relationship is demonstrated in optics. We then propose a novel quantum Zeno slicing approach, which allows us to dynamically engineer the Hilbert space of the monitored system. This generic approach is verified by generating a series of Zeno subspaces with different measurement projectors, based on the quantum-optical analogy. The complexity of light dynamics is largely increased, providing full control of the propagation via steering Zeno dynamics. Our results pave the way for manipulation of quantum states by harnessing Zeno dynamics in integrated photonics.Frequent observations to a quantum system modify its coherent evolution through the Zeno effect and Zeno dynamics. Generally, the measurement process destroys the evolution environment of the monitored system, making repeated observations remain a challenge. Here, using the quantum analogy experiments, we realize and engineer the Zeno effect and Zeno dynamics in optical waveguide arrays, where the optical modes correspond to distinct quantum states, and the temporal evolution is mapped into the spatial propagation. We propose a new, extensible experimental strategy for realizing an optical analog of stroboscopic measurements, which are performed by the build-in, on-demand segmented waveguide portions. The weak-to-strong stroboscopic measurements are realized, where the monitored system undergoes a transition from free evolution to optical Zeno freezing. Setting the measurements in the strong regime, the optical Zeno effect and optical Zeno dynamics are successfully generated, and their relationship is demonstrated in optics. We then propose a novel quantum Zeno slicing approach, which allows us to dynamically engineer the Hilbert space of the monitored system. This generic approach is verified by generating a series of Zeno subspaces with different measurement projectors, based on the quantum-optical analogy. The complexity of light dynamics is largely increased, providing full control of the propagation via steering Zeno dynamics. Our results pave the way for manipulation of quantum states by harnessing Zeno dynamics in integrated photonics.

Physical Review LettersMar 10, 202339 citations

The quantum Zeno effect typically refers to freezing the dynamics of a quantum system through frequent observations. In general, quantum Zeno dynamics is obtained with an error of order

\mathcal{O}(1/N)

, where

N

is the number of projective measurements performed within a fixed evolution time. In this work, we develop higher-order Zeno sequences that achieve faster convergence to Zeno dynamics, yielding an improved error scaling of

\mathcal{O}(1/N^{2k})

, where

k

describes the order of the Zeno sequence. This is achieved by relating higher-order Zeno sequences to higher-order Trotter formulas that achieve similar convergence behavior. We leverage this relation to develop higher-order Zeno sequences for different manifestations of the quantum Zeno effect, including frequent projective measurements and unitary kicks. We go on to discuss achieving quantum Zeno dynamics through periodic control fields of high frequency. We explicitly develop control fields that yield a second-order type improvement in the Zeno error scaling and present shorter Zeno sequences. Finally, we discuss the connection to randomized and Uhrig dynamical decoupling to develop more efficient implementations in the weak coupling regime.