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Updated: May 16, 2026

A Photonic System for Generating Unconditional Polarization-Entangled Photons Based on Multiple Quantum Interference
Published on: September 5, 2019
Emergence of the pointer basis through the dynamics of correlations
M F Cornelio1, O Jiménez Farías, F F Fanchini
1Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, 78060-900 Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil.
Quantum measurement information retrieval is analyzed using system-apparatus correlations. Decoherence causes a sudden transition, marking the pointer basis emergence while preserving quantum correlations, as shown in photon pair experiments.
Area of Science:
- Quantum Information Science
- Quantum Measurement Theory
- Foundations of Quantum Mechanics
Background:
- Understanding information retrieval in quantum measurements is crucial.
- Decoherence significantly impacts quantum systems and measurement apparatus.
- The emergence of a pointer basis is key to the quantum-to-classical transition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze information retrieval in quantum measurements using system-apparatus correlations.
- To formalize the concept of pointer basis emergence in decohering apparatus.
- To investigate the relationship between pointer basis emergence and quantum correlations.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing classical correlations between quantum systems and measurement apparatus.
- Accounting for decoherence effects on the measurement apparatus.
- Experimental demonstration using polarization-entangled photon pairs.
Main Results:
- Identified a sudden transition in system-apparatus correlations from decay to a constant level due to decoherence.
- Demonstrated that this transition signifies the nonasymptotic emergence of a pointer basis.
- Showed that quantum correlations between the system and apparatus can persist even after pointer basis emergence.
Conclusions:
- The study formalizes pointer basis emergence in decohering apparatus.
- A distinction is made between pointer basis emergence and the broader quantum-to-classical transition.
- Experimental results validate the theoretical framework using entangled photons.
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