Exploring the Quantum: Atoms, Cavities, and PhotonsThe counter-intuitive aspects of quantum physics have been for long illustrated by thought experiments, from Einstein's photon box to Schrödinger's cat. These experiments have now become real, with single particles - electrons, atoms or photons - directly unveiling the weird features of the quantum. State superpositions, entanglement and complementarity define a novel quantum logic which can be harnessed for information processing, raising great hopes for applications. This book describes a class of such thought experiments made real. Juggling with atoms and photons confined in cavities, ions or cold atoms in traps, is here an incentive to shed a new light on the basic concepts of quantum physics. Measurement processes and decoherence at the quantum-classical boundary are highlighted. This volume, which combines theory and experiments, will be of interest to students in quantum physics, teachers seeking illustrations for their lectures and new problem sets, researchers in quantum optics and quantum information. |
Contents
1 Unveiling the quantum | 1 |
2 Strangeness and power of the quantum | 25 |
3 Of spins and springs | 101 |
4 The environment is watching | 163 |
5 Photons in a box | 231 |
6 Seeing light in subtle ways | 297 |
7 Taming Schrödingers cat | 355 |
8 Atoms in a box | 443 |
9 Entangling matter waves | 517 |
10 Conclusion | 565 |
Appendix | 569 |
587 | |
603 | |
Other editions - View all
Exploring the Quantum: Atoms, Cavities, and Photons Serge Haroche,Jean-Michel Raimond Limited preview - 2006 |
Exploring the Quantum: Atoms, Cavities, and Photons Serge Haroche,Jean-Michel Raimond No preview available - 2006 |
Exploring the Quantum: Atoms, Cavities, and Photons Serge Haroche,Jean-Michel Raimond No preview available - 2013 |
Common terms and phrases
amplitude analyse applied assume atom average beam becomes cavity Chapter classical coherent combination complete components compute condition consider correlations corresponding coupling CQED decoherence defined density described detection direction discussion distribution effect electron emission energy entanglement environment equal equation et al evolution excitation experiment experimental expression field final finding fluctuations Fock frequency fringes function gate given Hamiltonian increasing initial interaction interference interferometer involving jump laser light measurement mode motion Note observed obtained operator optical oscillation particle performed phase photon number physics position possible potential prepared present probability procedure produced provides pulse quantum quantum circuit qubit Rabi Ramsey realized remains represented requires resonant respectively result scattering separated shift signal simple single situation space superposition trajectories transformation transition trap vacuum wave function