Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Physical Review A

Quantum Zeno effect on atomic excitation decay in resonators

Abraham G. Kofman, Gershon Kurizki

Published Nov 1, 1996• 149 citations
Publisher

Abstract

A unified theory of two-level atom coupling to vacuum field reservoirs with arbitrary mode-density spectra is used to demonstrate that the quantum Zeno effect on excitation decay of the atom (and, correspondingly, inhibition of spontaneous emission) is observable in open cavities and waveguides, using a sequence of evolution-interrupting pulses on a nanosecond scale.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.54.r3750

Related papers

Control of Open Quantum Systems

Yonathan Japha, Abraham G. Kofman, Gershon Kurizki

Spontaneous decay of excited cold atoms into a cavity can drastically affect their translational dynamics, namely, atomic reflection, transmission and localization at the interface.We show that the quantum Zeno effect on excitation decay of an atom is observable in open cavities and waveguides, using a sequence of evolution-interrupting pulses on a nanosecond scale.

Acta Physica Polonica A•Jan 1, 1998•0 citations

The Zeno and anti-Zeno effects on decay in dissipative quantum systems

Abraham G. Kofman, Gershon Kurizki

We point out that the quantum Zeno effect, i.e., inhibition of spontaneous decay by frequent measurements, is observable only in spectrally finite reservoirs, i.e., in cavities and waveguides, using a sequence of evolution-interrupting pulses or randomly-modulated CW fields. By contrast, such measurements can only accelerate decay in free space.

arXiv:quant-ph/9912077•Dec 16, 1999•0 citations

Control of non-Markovian decay and decoherence by measurements and interference

G. Harel, Abraham G. Kofman, Alexander E. Kozhekin +1 more

Novel methods are discussed for the state control of atoms coupled to multi-mode reservoirs with non-Markovian spectra: 1) Excitation decay control : we point out that the quantum Zeno effect, i.e., inhibition of spontaneous decay by frequent measurements, is observable in open cavities and waveguides using a sequence of evolution- interrupting pulses or randomly-modulated CW fields. 2) Location-dependent interference of decay channels - nonadiabatic (resonant) control : We show that the control of populations and coherences of two metastable states is feasible via resonant single-photon absorption to an intermediate state, by controlled spontaneous emission in a cavity. 3) Decoherence control by conditionally interfering parallel evolutions: We demonstrate that an arbitrary internal atomic state can be completely protected from decoherence by interference of its interactions with the reservoir over many different time interals in parallel . Such interference is conditional upon the detection of appropriate atomic-momentum observables. Realization in cavities is suggested. The rich arsenal of control methods described above can improve the performance of single-atom devices. It can also advance the state-of-the-art of quantum information encoding and processing.

Optics Express•Apr 27, 1998•21 citations

Control of atomic state decay in cavities and microspheres

Gershon Kurizki, Abraham G. Kofman, Alexander E. Kozhekin +1 more

Novel methods are discussed for the state control of atoms coupled to single-mode and multi-mode cavities and microspheres. (1)Excitation decay control: The quantum Zeno effect, i.e. inhibition of spontaneous decay by frequent measurements, is observable in high-Qcavities and microspheres using a sequence of evolution-interrupting pulses or randomly-modulated CW fields. By contrast, in 'bad' cavities or open space, frequent measurements can onlyacceleratethe decay, causing the anti-Zeno effect. (2)Location-dependent interference of decay channels: Control of two metastable states is feasible viaresonantsingle-photon absorption to an intermediate state, by engineering spontaneous emission in a multimode cavity. (3)Decoherence control by conditionally interfering parallel evolutions: Anarbitraryinternal state of an atomic wavepacket can be protected from decoherence by interference of its interactions with the cavity over many different time intervalsin parallel, followed by the detection of appropriate atomic-momentum observables. The arsenal of control methods described above can advance the state-of-the-art of quantum information storage and manipulation in cavities.

New Journal of Physics•Dec 1, 2000•14 citations

Dephasing of Quantum Evolution: Is It Useful?

Abraham G. Kofman, Gershon Kurizki

It is shown that the quantum Zeno effect, i.e., inhibition of spontaneous decay by frequent dephasing (measurements), is observable only in spectrally finite reservoirs, e.g., in cavities, using a sequence of evolution-interrupting pulses or randomly-modulated CW fields. By contrast, non-destructive measurements can only accelerate decay in free space, via the anti-Zeno effect.

Fortschritte der Physik•May 1, 2000•0 citations

Driving-induced population trapping and linewidth narrowing via the quantum Zeno effect

Charles N. Christensen, Jake Iles-Smith, Torkil S. Petersen +2 more

We investigate the suppression of spontaneous emission from a driven three-level system embedded in an optical cavity via a manifestation of the quantum Zeno effect. Strong resonant coupling of the lower two levels to an external optical field results in a decrease of the decay rate of the third upper level. We show that this effect has observable consequences in the form of emission spectra with subnatural linewidths, which should be measurable using, for example, quantum dot--cavity systems in currently obtainable parameter regimes, and may find use in applications requiring the control of single-photon arrival times and wave-packet extent. These results suggest an underappreciated link between the Zeno effect, dressed states, and Purcell enhancement.

arXiv:1706.07069•Physical Review A•Jun 6, 2018•4 citations
A unified theory of two-level atom coupling to vacuum field reservoirs with arbitrary mode-density spectra is used to demonstrate that the quantum Zeno effect on excitation decay of the atom (and, correspondingly, inhibition of spontaneous emission) is observable in open cavities and waveguides, using a sequence of evolution-interrupting pulses on a nanosecond scale.
Novel methods are discussed for the state control of atoms coupled to multi-mode reservoirs with non-Markovian spectra: 1) Excitation decay control : we point out that the quantum Zeno effect, i.e., inhibition of spontaneous decay by frequent measurements, is observable in open cavities and waveguides using a sequence of evolution- interrupting pulses or randomly-modulated CW fields. 2) Location-dependent interference of decay channels - nonadiabatic (resonant) control : We show that the control of populations and coherences of two metastable states is feasible via resonant single-photon absorption to an intermediate state, by controlled spontaneous emission in a cavity. 3) Decoherence control by conditionally interfering parallel evolutions: We demonstrate that an arbitrary internal atomic state can be completely protected from decoherence by interference of its interactions with the reservoir over many different time interals in parallel . Such interference is conditional upon the detection of appropriate atomic-momentum observables. Realization in cavities is suggested. The rich arsenal of control methods described above can improve the performance of single-atom devices. It can also advance the state-of-the-art of quantum information encoding and processing.
Novel methods are discussed for the state control of atoms coupled to single-mode and multi-mode cavities and microspheres. (1)Excitation decay control: The quantum Zeno effect, i.e. inhibition of spontaneous decay by frequent measurements, is observable in high-Qcavities and microspheres using a sequence of evolution-interrupting pulses or randomly-modulated CW fields. By contrast, in 'bad' cavities or open space, frequent measurements can onlyacceleratethe decay, causing the anti-Zeno effect. (2)Location-dependent interference of decay channels: Control of two metastable states is feasible viaresonantsingle-photon absorption to an intermediate state, by engineering spontaneous emission in a multimode cavity. (3)Decoherence control by conditionally interfering parallel evolutions: Anarbitraryinternal state of an atomic wavepacket can be protected from decoherence by interference of its interactions with the cavity over many different time intervalsin parallel, followed by the detection of appropriate atomic-momentum observables. The arsenal of control methods described above can advance the state-of-the-art of quantum information storage and manipulation in cavities.
We investigate the suppression of spontaneous emission from a driven three-level system embedded in an optical cavity via a manifestation of the quantum Zeno effect. Strong resonant coupling of the lower two levels to an external optical field results in a decrease of the decay rate of the third upper level. We show that this effect has observable consequences in the form of emission spectra with subnatural linewidths, which should be measurable using, for example, quantum dot--cavity systems in currently obtainable parameter regimes, and may find use in applications requiring the control of single-photon arrival times and wave-packet extent. These results suggest an underappreciated link between the Zeno effect, dressed states, and Purcell enhancement.