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dc.contributor.authorMyatt, CJ
dc.contributor.authorKing, BE
dc.contributor.authorTurchette, QA
dc.contributor.authorSackett, CA
dc.contributor.authorKielpinski, David
dc.contributor.authorItano, WM
dc.contributor.authorMonroe, C
dc.contributor.authorWineland, DJ
dc.date.accessioned2006-07-24
dc.date.accessioned2014-05-15T21:50:12Z
dc.date.accessioned2017-03-01T23:51:13Z
dc.date.available2017-03-01T23:51:13Z
dc.date.issued2000
dc.date.modified2014-05-15T21:50:12Z
dc.identifier.issn0028-0836
dc.identifier.doi10.1038/35002001
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10072/59116
dc.description.abstractThe theory of quantum mechanics applies to closed systems. In such ideal situations, a single atom can, for example, exist simultaneously in a superposition of two different spatial locations. In contrast, real systems always interact with their environment, with the consequence that macroscopic quantum superpositions (as illustrated by the 'Schrödinger's cat' thought-experiment) are not observed. Moreover, macroscopic superpositions decay so quickly that even the dynamics of decoherence cannot be observed. However, mesoscopic systems offer the possibility of observing the decoherence of such quantum superpositions. Here we present measurements of the decoherence of superposed motional states of a single trapped atom. Decoherence is induced by coupling the atom to engineered reservoirs, in which the coupling and state of the environment are controllable. We perform three experiments, finding that the decoherence rate scales with the square of a quantity describing the amplitude of the superposition state.
dc.description.peerreviewedYes
dc.description.publicationstatusYes
dc.publisherNature Publishing Group
dc.publisher.placeEngland
dc.relation.ispartofpagefrom269
dc.relation.ispartofpageto273
dc.relation.ispartofjournalNature
dc.relation.ispartofvolume403
dc.subject.fieldofresearchPRE2009-Atomic and Molecular Physics
dc.subject.fieldofresearchcode240301
dc.titleDecoherence of quantum superpositions through coupling to engineered reservoirs
dc.typeJournal article
dc.type.descriptionC1 - Articles
dc.type.codec1x
gro.facultyFaculty of Science
gro.date.issued2000
gro.hasfulltextNo Full Text
gro.griffith.authorKielpinski, David


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