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Characterizing a Statistical Arrow of Time in Quantum Measurement Dynamics
P M Harrington1, D Tan1,2, M Naghiloo1
1Department of Physics, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|August 7, 2019
Summary
Researchers explored the arrow of time in quantum measurement dynamics using superconducting qubits. They tracked individual quantum trajectories to establish a statistic for measurement direction, confirming consistency between microscopic and macroscopic behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Quantum Mechanics
- Thermodynamics
- Quantum Information Science
Background:
- The arrow of time, a fundamental concept in physics, is typically defined by the statistical likelihood of processes.
- Understanding time's directionality in quantum systems is crucial for advancing quantum technologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the arrow of time in continuous quantum measurement dynamics.
- To experimentally investigate the statistical properties of quantum trajectories.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a superconducting qubit as the quantum system.
- Employed weak measurement techniques to track individual quantum trajectories.
- Analyzed path probabilities for forward and backward-in-time evolution.
Main Results:
- Developed a novel arrow of time statistic specifically for measurement dynamics.
- Demonstrated that the measurement dynamics adhere to detailed and integral fluctuation theorems.
- Established consistency between microscopic quantum trajectory statistics and macroscopic ensemble properties.
Conclusions:
- The study provides a new method for quantifying the arrow of time in quantum measurements.
- Confirms the validity of fluctuation theorems in the context of continuous quantum measurements.
- Highlights the link between microscopic quantum behavior and macroscopic thermodynamic principles.
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