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'Interaction-free' measurement: possibilities and limitations

Sergey P. Vyatchanin, Farit Ya. Khalili

Published Jul 31, 2004• 8 citations

Abstract

The so-called 'interaction-free' measurement is a very interesting quantum effect that allows discovering the presence of an opaque object in a given spatial domain, with the probability that the object absorbs a photon being, in principle, as low as desired. This probability is bounded from below only by a value of the order of 1/ωτ, where ω is the frequency of light and τ is the measurement time. This corresponds to the average absorbed energy of the order of /τ. The 'interaction-free' technique can also be used to measure the coordinate of an object but only under the condition that the object is prepared in a special 'discretized' quantum state. Such is, for instance, the state of a ponderomotive meter of electromagnetic energy, which, in principle, enables the interaction-free' measurement of the energy contained in an electromagnetic cavity. Estimations show that with modern experimental equipment and with the help of 'interaction-free' measurement, single atoms can be registered inside optical cavities.

DOI: 10.1070/pu2004v047n07abeh001821

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{open_quotes}Interaction-free{close_quotes} measurements of quantum objects?

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It is now well established that the presence of an opaque classical object can be unambiguously determined by an {open_quotes}interaction-free{close_quotes} measurement (IFM), where the object and the probe never directly interact. For quantum objects, we examine {open_quotes}interaction-free{close_quotes} measurement (the object wavefunction is unchanged) and {open_quotes}interaction-free{close_quotes} preparation (the object wavefunction is changed without physical interaction) and find that in general, neither is possible. We propose using high efficiency IFM{close_quote}s as a quantum information bus to connect disjoint quantum systems. {copyright} {ital 1999 American Institute of Physics.}

AIP conference proceedings•Mar 1, 1999•0 citations

The so-called 'interaction-free' measurement is a very interesting quantum effect that allows discovering the presence of an opaque object in a given spatial domain, with the probability that the object absorbs a photon being, in principle, as low as desired. This probability is bounded from below only by a value of the order of 1/ωτ, where ω is the frequency of light and τ is the measurement time. This corresponds to the average absorbed energy of the order of /τ. The 'interaction-free' technique can also be used to measure the coordinate of an object but only under the condition that the object is prepared in a special 'discretized' quantum state. Such is, for instance, the state of a ponderomotive meter of electromagnetic energy, which, in principle, enables the interaction-free' measurement of the energy contained in an electromagnetic cavity. Estimations show that with modern experimental equipment and with the help of 'interaction-free' measurement, single atoms can be registered inside optical cavities.

Using a hybrid of a simple interference technique and an application of the quantum Zeno effect, it is possible to optically determine the presence of an absorbing object with an arbitrarily low probability that a photon is actually absorbed. We have demonstrated the feasibility of systems in which up to 85% of the measurements could be “interaction-free”. Also, we have started investigating the possibility of using these techniques to allow “interaction-free” imaging of objects; our prototype schemes have shown resolutions of less than 10 µm. Finally, we present a curious phenomenon that occurs when the object in question is only partially transmitting, which should allow a seeming violation of Beer’s law.

Summary form only given.Using the complementary wave-like and particle-like natures of photons, one can make interaction-free measurements (IFM)-the presence of an object can be determined with no photons being absorbed. By using an application of the quantum Zeno effect (weakly and repeatedly testing for the object's presence so that the otherwise coherent evolution of the interrogating photon is inhibited), we have demonstrated the feasibility of IFMs with an efficiency of >85%, higher than that possible in the original IFM scheme, where, at most, half of the measurements could be interaction free. We also investigate various interaction-free imaging systems, demonstrate imaging with a resolution <5 /spl mu/m, and define the limits to these systems. We also discuss in which sense interaction-free measurements really are not.

It is now well established that the presence of an opaque classical object can be unambiguously determined by an "interaction-free" measurement (IFM), where the object and the probe never directly interact. For quantum objects, we examine "interaction-free" measurement (the object wavefunction is unchanged) and "interaction-free" preparation (the object wavefunction is changed without physical interaction) and find that in general, neither is possible. We propose using high efficiency IFM's as a quantum information bus to connect disjoint quantum systems.

Summary form only given.The purpose of an interaction-free measurement is to detect the presence of an object without letting any energy quanta be absorbed by the object. In this work we present interaction-free measurement results using a Fabry-Perot interferometer as a measurement apparatus. If the cavity of the interferometer is empty, an incoming photon will be transmitted through the interferometer. If an absorbent is placed between the mirrors, the photon will be reflected by the first mirror. By detecting which way the photon takes, we will gain information about the presence of the absorbent without losses/interaction. For a perfect measurement, the figure of merit will be equal to the mirror reflectivity R. Thus, in theory, one can approach the perfect interaction-free measurement simply by increasing R.

"Interaction-free measurements" (IFM) originate from the latest quantum interferometric technologies. The latest research of quantum optics demonstrates, by using the complementary wavelike and particlelike natures of photons, it is possible to make interaction-free measurements by which the presence of an object can be determined with no photons being absorbed. The paper introduces the concept of "Interaction-free Measurement" (IFM), the original Elitzur-Vaidman scheme, the "High Efficiency Interaction-free Measurement", the application of quantum Zeno effect and the improved scheme proposed by Kwiat et al. The EV scheme is implemented in a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. Theoretically this paper also draws a conclusion in IFM feasibility by analyzing the wave functions of photon at various locations in the interferometer.

It is now well established that the presence of an opaque classical object can be unambiguously determined by an {open_quotes}interaction-free{close_quotes} measurement (IFM), where the object and the probe never directly interact. For quantum objects, we examine {open_quotes}interaction-free{close_quotes} measurement (the object wavefunction is unchanged) and {open_quotes}interaction-free{close_quotes} preparation (the object wavefunction is changed without physical interaction) and find that in general, neither is possible. We propose using high efficiency IFM{close_quote}s as a quantum information bus to connect disjoint quantum systems. {copyright} {ital 1999 American Institute of Physics.}