NOTICE: Due to a lapse in annual appropriations, most of this website is not being updated. Learn more.

Form submissions will still be accepted but will not receive responses at this time. Sections of this site for programs using non-appropriated funds (such as NVLAP) or those that are excepted from the shutdown (such as CHIPS and NVD) will continue to be updated.

U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

PUBLICATIONS

Experimental Determination of the Motional Quantum State of a Trapped Atom

Published

Author(s)

Dietrich G. Leibfried, D M. Meekhof, B E. King, C Monroe, Wayne M. Itano, David J. Wineland

Abstract

We reconstruct the density matrices and Wigner functions for various quantum states of motion of a harmonically bound 9Be+ ion. We apply coherent displacements of different amplitudes and phases to the input state and measure the number state populations. Using novel reconstruction schemes we independently determine both the density matrix in the number state basis and the Wigner function. These reconstructions are sensitive indicators of decoherence in the system.
Citation
Physical Review Letters
Volume
77
Pub Type
Journals

Download Paper

Local Download

Citation

Leibfried, D. , Meekhof, D. , King, B. , Monroe, C. , Itano, W. and Wineland, D. (1996), Experimental Determination of the Motional Quantum State of a Trapped Atom, Physical Review Letters, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=104995 (Accessed October 8, 2025)

Issues

If you have any questions about this publication or are having problems accessing it, please contact [email protected].

Created January 1, 1996, Updated February 17, 2017
Was this page helpful?