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Experimental Limit on Nonlinear State-Dependent Terms in Quantum Theory
Mark Polkovnikov1, Alexander V Gramolin2, David E Kaplan3
1Boston University Academy, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|February 10, 2023
Summary
This experiment searched for nonlinear quantum evolution, a deviation from standard quantum theory. Researchers found no evidence of this nonlinearity, setting a new upper bound for its potential strength.
Area of Science:
- Quantum Field Theory
- Experimental Physics
Background:
- Linear time evolution is a cornerstone of quantum theory.
- Previous attempts to introduce nonlinearity violated causality.
- A recent theory proposed causality-preserving nonlinear quantum field theory.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally search for nonlinear state-dependent terms in quantum field theory.
- To test predictions of a recent theoretical framework allowing nonlinear quantum evolution.
- To constrain the parameter quantifying electromagnetic quantum state-dependent nonlinearity.
Main Methods:
- Correlating a classical voltage with quantum bit measurement outcomes.
- Utilizing a superconducting qubit and a nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond for control measurements.
- Implementing blinded analysis with classical random-bit generator control strings.
Main Results:
- No experimental evidence for electromagnetic quantum state-dependent nonlinearity was found.
- A stringent upper bound was set on the nonlinearity parameter: |εγ|<4.7×10⁻¹¹ at 90% confidence.
- The experiment successfully controlled for systematic effects.
Conclusions:
- The findings do not support the existence of the proposed nonlinear quantum evolution effects.
- The experiment places significant constraints on theoretical models of quantum field theory.
- Future research can build upon these results to further probe quantum foundations.
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