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Brazilian Journal of Physics

Inhibited Quantum Processes Through Repeated Measurements: an Approach to Quantum Zeno Effect

Hilda A. Cerdeira, G. Crespo, Araceli N. Proto

Published Dec 1, 1997• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The dynamics of a finite set of relevant observables, associated to a Hamiltonian of a three level system is analized in connection with the quantum Zeno effect. Since we use the Hamiltonian that completely describes the physical situation related to the experiment under study (W.M. Itano et al, Phys. Rev. A41, 2295 (1990)), no reduction or collapse of the wave function is required to describe the quantum Zeno effect.

DOI
10.1590/s0103-97331997000400024

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•Jan 1, 1996•36 citations
The dynamics of a finite set of relevant observables, associated to a Hamiltonian of a three level system is analized in connection with the quantum Zeno effect. Since we use the Hamiltonian that completely describes the physical situation related to the experiment under study (W.M. Itano et al, Phys. Rev. A41, 2295 (1990)), no reduction or collapse of the wave function is required to describe the quantum Zeno effect.
Itano and co-workers [Wayne M. Itano, D. J. Heinzen, J. J. Bollinger, and D. J. Wineland, Phys. Rev. A 41, 2295 (1990)] have recently reported the experimental verification of the quantum Zeno effect, which is the inhibition of a quantum transition by frequent measurements. In this article, we offer an alternative interpretation of the quantum Zeno effect. We show that an analysis of the dynamics of the full three-level system gives the same result. There is no need to assume explicitly that the wave function has collapsed, nor even to assume that an ideal measurement has been made. In addition, we differentiate between what has been referred to as the quantum Zeno effect and what has been termed the quantum Zeno paradox. The former is the inhibition of induced transitions, and the latter is the, as yet experimentally unobserved, inhibition of spontaneous decay. Our interpretation, which emphasizes the ``measurement''-induced interruption of atomic-state coherences as the cause of inhibited quantum transitions, suggests a resolution to the quantum Zeno paradox. The theoretical limit of continuous observation is discussed.
The change of dynamics in a quantum system under frequent or continuous observation, known as the quantum Zeno effect, is generally derived from the projection or reduction of the wave-packet hypothesis that is the central postulate in the theory of quantum measurements. The only experiment in which the Zeno effect has yet been clearly demonstrated, though, allows no conclusion on the necessity or validity of the projection postulate. This is shown by calculating, in detail, the outcome of the experiment on the basis of the standard three-level Bloch equations. These equations follow from the quantum theory of irreversible processes with no additional assumptions necessary, such as which part of the system serves as measuring apparatus or how efficient the measurement would be.
The quantum Zeno effect is not a general characteristic of continuous measurements. In a recently reported experiment [Itano et al., Phys. Rev. A 41, 2295 (1990)], the inhibition of atomic excitation and deexcitation is not due to any ``collapse of the wave function,'' but instead is caused by a very strong perturbation due to the optical pulses and the coupling to the radiation field. The experiment should not be cited as providing empirical evidence in favor of the notion of ``wave-function collapse.''
It is shown that a generalized quantum Zeno effect based on the introduction of a coherent coupling between several parts of a compound system can be responsible for neutralizing the effects of repeated measurements. To demonstrate this effect, we focus on a purification scheme based on iterated observations on an ancilla system put in interaction with the main one [Nakazato, Takazawa, Yuasa, Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 90}, 060401 (2003)]. We bring to light that a suitable Hilbert space partitioning due to an appropriate interaction can eliminate the effects of repeated wave function collapses the purification scheme is based on.
A purely dynamical explanation for the quantum Zeno effect is proposed. It is argued that a quantum system undergoes a quantum-Zeno-type dynamics as a consequence of a particular type of evolution involving a series of frequent spectral decompositions. The role of quantum measurements and of the ``collapse of the wave function'' is investigated and it is clarified that, provided a final observation is performed, the dynamical quantum Zeno effect can be obtained without making use of von Neumann's projection postulate. The meaning of infinitely frequent measurements is critically discussed and it is argued that it should be regarded as a mathematical idealization, impossible to realize from a physical point of view.
The quantum Zeno effect consists in the hindrance of the evolution of a quantum system that is very frequently monitored and found to be in its initial state at every single measurement. On the basis of the correct formula for the survival probability, i.e. the probability of finding the system in its initial state at every single measurement, we critically analyze a recent proposal and experimental test, that make use of an oscillating system. PACS: 03.65.Bz, 42.50.-p 1 The seminal formulation of the quantum Zeno effect, due to Misra and Sudarshan [1], deals with the probability of observing an unstable system in its initial state throughout a time interval ∆ = [0, t]. The purpose of this note is to point out that the quantum Zeno effect has not been experimentally observed, yet, in its original formulation. Indeed, we shall argue that the interesting proposal by Cook [2], that makes use of a two-level system undergoing Rabi oscillations, as well as the beautiful experiment performed by Itano et al. [3], investigate the probability of finding the