Observing the Spontaneous Breakdown of Unitarity

During the past decade, the experimental development of being able to create ever larger and heavier quantum superpositions has brought the discussion of the connection between microscopic quantum mechanics and macroscopic classical physics back to the forefront of physical research. Under equilibrium conditions this connection is in fact well understood in terms of the mechanism of spontaneous symmetry breaking, while the emergence of classical dynamics can be described within an ensemble averaged description in terms of decoherence. The remaining realm of individual-state quantum dynamics in the thermodynamic limit was addressed in a recent paper proposing that the unitarity of quantum mechanical time evolution in macroscopic objects may be susceptible to a spontaneous breakdown. Here we will discuss the implications of this theory of spontaneous unitarity breaking for the modern experiments involving truly macroscopic Schrodinger cat states.Comment: 4 pages, no figure

``Weighing'' a closed system and the time-energy uncertainty principle

A gedanken-experiment is proposed for `weighing'' the total mass of a closed system from within the system. We prove that for an internal observer the time $\tau$, required to measure the total energy with accuracy $\Delta E$, is bounded according to $\tau \Delta E >\hbar$. This time-energy uncertainty principle for a closed system follows from the measurement back-reaction on the system. We generally examine what other conserved observables are in principle measurable within a closed system and what are the corresponding uncertainty relations.Comment: 8 page

Characterization of quantum states in predicative logic

We develop a characterization of quantum states by means of first order variables and random variables, within a predicative logic with equality, in the framework of basic logic and its definitory equations. We introduce the notion of random first order domain and find a characterization of pure states in predicative logic and mixed states in propositional logic, due to a focusing condition. We discuss the role of first order variables and the related contextuality, in terms of sequents.Comment: 14 pages, Boston, IQSA10, to appea

SU(3) phase states and finite Fourier transform

We describe the construction of SU(3) phase operators using Fourier-like transform on a hexagonal lattice. The advantages and disadvantages of this approach are contrasted with other results, in particular with the more traditional approach based on polar decomposition of operators.Comment: to appear in Physica Script

Complementarity and uncertainty relations for matter wave interferometry

We establish a rigorous quantitative connection between (i) the interferometric duality relation for which-way information and fringe visibility and (ii) Heisenberg's uncertainty relation for position and modular momentum. We apply our theory to atom interferometry, wherein spontaneously emitted photons provide which way information, and unambiguously resolve the challenge posed by the metamaterial `perfect lens' to complementarity and to the Heisenberg-Bohr interpretation of the Heisenberg microscope thought experiment.Comment: nine pages, five figure

A simple derivation of Kepler's laws without solving differential equations

Proceeding like Newton with a discrete time approach of motion and a geometrical representation of velocity and acceleration, we obtain Kepler's laws without solving differential equations. The difficult part of Newton's work, when it calls for non trivial properties of ellipses, is avoided by the introduction of polar coordinates. Then a simple reconsideration of Newton's figure naturally leads to en explicit expression of the velocity and to the equation of the trajectory. This derivation, which can be fully apprehended by beginners at university (or even before) can be considered as a first application of mechanical concepts to a physical problem of great historical and pedagogical interest

Realization of GHZ States and the GHZ Test via Cavity QED

In this article we discuss the realization of atomic GHZ states involving three-level atoms and we show explicitly how to use this state to perform the GHZ test in which it is possible to decide between local realism theories and quantum mechanics. The experimental realizations proposed makes use of the interaction of Rydberg atoms with a cavity prepared in a coherent state.Comment: 16 pages and 3 figures. submitted to J. Mod. Op

P.A.M. Dirac and the Discovery of Quantum Mechanics

Dirac's contributions to the discovery of non-relativistic quantum mechanics and quantum electrodynamics, prior to his discovery of the relativistic wave equation, are described

Noncanonical quantum optics

Modification of the right-hand-side of canonical commutation relations (CCR) naturally occurs if one considers a harmonic oscillator with indefinite frequency. Quantization of electromagnetic field by means of such a non-CCR algebra naturally removes the infinite energy of vacuum but still results in a theory which is very similar to quantum electrodynamics. An analysis of perturbation theory shows that the non-canonical theory has an automatically built-in cut-off but requires charge/mass renormalization already at the nonrelativistic level. A simple rule allowing to compare perturbative predictions of canonical and non-canonical theories is given. The notion of a unique vacuum state is replaced by a set of different vacua. Multi-photon states are defined in the standard way but depend on the choice of vacuum. Making a simplified choice of the vacuum state we estimate corrections to atomic lifetimes, probabilities of multiphoton spontaneous and stimulated emission, and the Planck law. The results are practically identical to the standard ones. Two different candidates for a free-field Hamiltonian are compared.Comment: Completely rewritten version of quant-ph/0002003v2. There are overlaps between the papers, but sections on perturbative calculations show the same problem from different sides, therefore quant-ph/0002003v2 is not replace

The Standard Model of Quantum Measurement Theory: History and Applications

The standard model of the quantum theory of measurement is based on an interaction Hamiltonian in which the observable-to-be-measured is multiplied with some observable of a probe system. This simple Ansatz has proved extremely fruitful in the development of the foundations of quantum mechanics. While the ensuing type of models has often been argued to be rather artificial, recent advances in quantum optics have demonstrated their prinicpal and practical feasibility. A brief historical review of the standard model together with an outline of its virtues and limitations are presented as an illustration of the mutual inspiration that has always taken place between foundational and experimental research in quantum physics.Comment: 22 pages, to appear in Found. Phys. 199