Experimental realization of quantum zeno dynamics.
It is generally impossible to probe a quantum system without disturbing it. However, it is possible to exploit the back action of quantum measurements and strong couplings to tailor and protect the coherent evolution of a quantum system. This is a profound and counterintuitive phenomenon known as quantum Zeno dynamics. Here we demonstrate quantum Zeno dynamics with a rubidium Bose-Einstein condensate in a five-level Hilbert space. We harness measurements and strong couplings to dynamically disconnect different groups of quantum states and constrain the atoms to coherently evolve inside a two-level subregion. In parallel to the foundational importance due to the realization of a dynamical superselection rule and the theory of quantum measurements, this is an important step forward in protecting and controlling quantum dynamics and, broadly speaking, quantum information processing.
1] LENS-Università di Firenze, Via Nello Carrara 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy [2] Dipartimento di Fisica ed Astronomia, Via Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy.
F
F
Schäfer
LENS-Università di Firenze, Via Nello Carrara 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy.
I
I
Herrera
LENS-Università di Firenze, Via Nello Carrara 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy.
S
S
Cherukattil
LENS-Università di Firenze, Via Nello Carrara 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy.
C
C
Lovecchio
1] LENS-Università di Firenze, Via Nello Carrara 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy [2] Dipartimento di Fisica ed Astronomia, Via Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy [3] QSTAR, Largo Enrico Fermi 2, 50125 Firenze, Italy.
F S
FS
Cataliotti
1] LENS-Università di Firenze, Via Nello Carrara 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy [2] Dipartimento di Fisica ed Astronomia, Via Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy [3] QSTAR, Largo Enrico Fermi 2, 50125 Firenze, Italy.
F
F
Caruso
1] LENS-Università di Firenze, Via Nello Carrara 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy [2] QSTAR, Largo Enrico Fermi 2, 50125 Firenze, Italy [3] Istituto Nazionale di Ottica, INO-CNR, Largo Enrico Fermi 2, 50125 Firenze, Italy.
A
A
Smerzi