Quantum back-action limits in dispersively measured Bose-Einstein condensates

Published

April 8, 2023

Author(s)

Ian Spielman, Emine Altuntas

Abstract

A fundamental tenet of quantum mechanics is that measurements change a system's wavefunction to that most consistent with the measurement outcome, even if no observer is present. Weak measurements produce only limited information about the system, and as a result only minimally change the system's state. Here, we theoretically and experimentally characterize quantum back-action in atomic Bose-Einstein condensates interacting with a far-from resonant laser beam. We theoretically describe this process using a quantum trajectories approach where the environment measures the scattered light and present a measurement model based on an ideal photodetection mechanism. We experimentally quantify the resulting wavefunction change in terms of the contrast of a Ramsey interferometer and control parasitic effects associated with the measurement process. The observed back-action is in good agreement with our measurement model; this result is a necessary precursor for achieving true quantum back-action limited measurements of quantum gases.

Citation

Nature Communications Physics

Pub Type

Journals

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Citation

Spielman, I. and Altuntas, E. (2023), Quantum back-action limits in dispersively measured Bose-Einstein condensates, Nature Communications Physics, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=935338 (Accessed October 7, 2025)