On the Theory of Quantum Jumps

Jürg Martin Fröhlich, Zhou Gang, Alessandro Pizzo

S. Ia. Kilin

H. J. Carmichael

Z. E. Musielak

Richard J Cook

This paper answers the title question by giving an operational definition of quantum jumps based on measurement theory. This definition forms the basis of a theory of quantum jumps which leads to a number of testable predictions. Experiments are proposed to test the theory. The suggested experiments also test the quantum Zeno paradox, i.e., they test the proposition that frequent observation of a quantum system inhibits quantum jumps in that system.

Yang Yu

Quantum mechanics had been considered as a theory of ensembles for a long time since its foundation.However,quantum jumps demonstrated in atomic system after 1980s leads to new approaches,such as quantum jumps approach,that can be used to describe the trajectory of single quantum system.Here we summarized our recent efforts to develop quantum jump approach to the Josephson-tunnel-junction based superconducting qubits.We experimentally demonstrated quantum jumps in a macroscopic quantum system.In addition,quantum jumps can serve as a useful tool to investigate the properties of the two-level systems that are ubiquitous in solid-state systems.