26 research outputs found
Consistent histories, the quantum Zeno effect, and time of arrival
We present a decomposition of the general quantum mechanical evolution
operator, that corresponds to the path decomposition expansion, and interpret
its constituents in terms of the quantum Zeno effect (QZE). This decomposition
is applied to a finite dimensional example and to the case of a free particle
in the real line, where the possibility of boundary conditions more general
than those hitherto considered in the literature is shown. We reinterpret the
assignment of consistent probabilities to different regions of spacetime in
terms of the QZE. The comparison of the approach of consistent histories to the
problem of time of arrival with the solution provided by the probability
distribution of Kijowski shows the strength of the latter point of view
Spacetime Coarse Grainings in the Decoherent Histories Approach to Quantum Theory
We investigate the possibility of assigning consistent probabilities to sets
of histories characterized by whether they enter a particular subspace of the
Hilbert space of a closed system during a given time interval. In particular we
investigate the case that this subspace is a region of the configuration space.
This corresponds to a particular class of coarse grainings of spacetime
regions. We consider the arrival time problem and the problem of time in
reparametrization invariant theories as for example in canonical quantum
gravity. Decoherence conditions and probabilities for those application are
derived. The resulting decoherence condition does not depend on the explicit
form of the restricted propagator that was problematic for generalizations such
as application in quantum cosmology. Closely related is the problem of
tunnelling time as well as the quantum Zeno effect. Some interpretational
comments conclude, and we discuss the applicability of this formalism to deal
with the arrival time problem.Comment: 23 pages, Few changes and added references in v
Laser spectroscopy of hyperfine structure in highly-charged ions: a test of QED at high fields
An overview is presented of laser spectroscopy experiments with cold,
trapped, highly-charged ions, which will be performed at the HITRAP facility at
GSI in Darmstadt (Germany). These high-resolution measurements of ground state
hyperfine splittings will be three orders of magnitude more precise than
previous measurements. Moreover, from a comparison of measurements of the
hyperfine splittings in hydrogen- and lithium-like ions of the same isotope,
QED effects at high electromagnetic fields can be determined within a few
percent. Several candidate ions suited for these laser spectroscopy studies are
presented.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure, 1 table. accepted for Canadian Journal of Physics
(2006
Precision spectroscopy with two correlated atoms
We discuss techniques that allow for long coherence times in laser
spectroscopy experiments with two trapped ions. We show that for this purpose
not only entangled ions prepared in decoherence-free subspaces can be used but
also a pair of ions that are not entangled but subject to the same kind of
phase noise. We apply this technique to a measurement of the electric
quadrupole moment of the 3d D5/2 state of 40Ca+ and to a measurement of the
linewidth of an ultrastable laser exciting a pair of 40Ca+ ions
Optimum electrode configurations for fast ion separation in microfabricated surface ion traps
For many quantum information implementations with trapped ions, effective
shuttling operations are important. Here we discuss the efficient separation
and recombination of ions in surface ion trap geometries. The maximum speed of
separation and recombination of trapped ions for adiabatic shuttling operations
depends on the secular frequencies the trapped ion experiences in the process.
Higher secular frequencies during the transportation processes can be achieved
by optimising trap geometries. We show how two different arrangements of
segmented static potential electrodes in surface ion traps can be optimised for
fast ion separation or recombination processes. We also solve the equations of
motion for the ion dynamics during the separation process and illustrate
important considerations that need to be taken into account to make the process
adiabatic
Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies anti fragment Fc of bovine IgG
Optical pumping of stored atomic ions
Optical pumping experiments on atomic ions which are stored in electromagnetic « traps » are discussed. Weak relaxation and extremely small energy shifts of the stored ions lead to very high resolution and accuracy in optical pumping-double resonance experiments. In the same spirit of Kastler's proposal for « lumino refrigeration » (1950), the kinetic energy levels of stored ions can be optically pumped. This technique, which has been called laser cooling, significantly reduces Doppler frequency shifts in the spectra