Time-reversibility in quantum measurement

ORAL

Abstract

In quantum mechanics, the stochastic backaction of quantum measurement disrupts unitary Schr\"odinger dynamics---canonically referred to as wavefunction collapse---causing irreversible quantum evolution by virtue of the many-to-one property of projective measurements. However, weak measurements cause minimal perturbations to the quantum state and therefore can be reversible. We develop statistical measures to characterize the arrow of time from individual quantum trajectories. These measures involve a comparison of path probabilities for both forward and time-reversed trajectories. We apply this analysis to different measurement schemes for superconducting qubits ranging from dispersive quantum non-demolition measurement to fluorescence detection.

Authors

  • Patrick Harrington

    Washington University, St. Louis

  • Andrew Jordan

    Univ of Rochester, University of Rochester, University of Rochester, Center for Coherence and Quantum Optics, Institute for Quantum Studies

  • Kater Murch

    Washington University, St. Louis, Washington University in St. Louis