We derive the quantum trajectory or stochastic (conditional) master equation for a single superconducting Cooper-pair box (SCB) charge qubit measured by a single-electron transistor (SET) detector. This stochastic master equation describes the random evolution of the measured SCB qubit density matrix which both conditions and is conditioned on a particular realization of the measured electron tunneling events through the SET junctions. Hence it can be regarded as a Monte Carlo method that allows us to simulate the continuous quantum measurement process. We show that the master equation for the ``partially'' reduced density matrix [Y. Makhlin et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 85, 4578 (2000)] can be obtained when a ``partial'' average is taken on the stochastic master equation over the fine grained measurement records of the tunneling events in the SET. Finally, we present some Monte Carlo simulation results for the SCB/SET measurement process. We also analyze the probability distribution
P(m,t) of finding
m electrons that have tunneled into the drain of the SET in time
t to demonstrate the connection between the quantum trajectory approach and the ``partially'' reduced density matrix approach.
We show how population inversion (PI) occurs in a two-level system (TLS) while measuring its charge using a capacitively coupled superconducting single-electron transistor (SSET), biased in the subgap regime, where the current through the SSET is carried by different cycles involving tunneling of both Cooper pairs and quasiparticles. The PI is directly associated with the resonant nature of the Cooper-pair tunneling. We also show how the SSET may strongly relax the TLS, although there is negligible current flowing through the SSET, i.e. it is turned off. The calculation of the quantum back-action noise is based on a real-time Keldysh approach. We specifically discuss the case of a Cooper Pair Box qubit with the SSET capacitively coupled as read-out device.
We investigate the backaction of superconducting single-electron transistor (SSET) continuously measuring a Cooper-pair box. Due to the minimized backaction of the SSET, we observe a 2e periodic Coulomb staircase according to the two-level system Hamiltonian of the Cooper-pair box. We demonstrate that we can control the quantum broadening of the ground state in-situ. We perform spectroscopy measurements and demonstrate that we have full control over the Cooper-pair box Hamiltonian. The ability to reduce the backaction is a necessary condition to use the SSET as a quantum state readout for the CPB as a qubit.