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Updated: May 24, 2026

Quantum State Engineering of Light with Continuous-wave Optical Parametric Oscillators
Published on: May 30, 2014
Quantum and classical chirps in an anharmonic oscillator
Yoni Shalibo1, Ya'ara Rofe, Ido Barth
1Racah Institute of Physics, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel.
Abstract:
We measure the state dynamics of a tunable anharmonic quantum system, the Josephson phase circuit, under the excitation of a frequency-chirped drive. At small anharmonicity, the state evolves like a wave packet-a characteristic response in classical oscillators; in this regime, we report exponentially enhanced lifetimes of highly excited states, held by the drive. At large anharmonicity, we observe sharp steps, corresponding to the excitation of discrete energy levels. The continuous transition between the two regimes is mapped by measuring the threshold of these two effects.
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