Engineering of Zeno Dynamics in Integrated Photonics

Area of Science:

• Quantum physics
• Optics
• Integrated photonics

Background:

• Frequent observations impact quantum system evolution via the Zeno effect and Zeno dynamics.
• Measurement processes typically disrupt quantum evolution, posing challenges for repeated observations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To experimentally realize and engineer the Zeno effect and Zeno dynamics using optical waveguide arrays.
• To develop and demonstrate a novel stroboscopic measurement strategy for quantum analog experiments.
• To introduce and verify a quantum Zeno slicing approach for dynamic Hilbert space engineering.

Main Methods:

• Utilized optical waveguide arrays as a quantum analog system, mapping temporal evolution to spatial propagation.
• Implemented a new experimental strategy for stroboscopic measurements using segmented waveguide portions.
• Achieved weak-to-strong stroboscopic measurements, transitioning from free evolution to Zeno freezing.

Main Results:

• Successfully generated the optical Zeno effect and optical Zeno dynamics in the strong measurement regime.
• Demonstrated the relationship between the optical Zeno effect and Zeno dynamics.
• Verified the quantum Zeno slicing approach by creating Zeno subspaces with varying measurement projectors.

Conclusions:

• The developed optical analog provides a robust platform for studying Zeno dynamics and quantum state manipulation.
• The quantum Zeno slicing approach offers dynamic control over light propagation in integrated photonics.
• This research paves the way for advanced quantum state control in integrated photonic devices.