Quantum Interference And Coherence

This book brings together and discusses for the first time detailed analyses of the experiments with trapped ions, experiments on quantum beats, coherent population trapping, electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT), electromagnetically induced absorption, creation of dark-states polaritons, subluminal and superluminal light, realization of a Fock state, and interference experiments in atom optics on atom grating, momentum distribution, and atom tunneling. This book is unique in many respects and will fill a gap in the literature.

The ?eld that encompasses the term “quantum interference” combines a number of separate concepts, and has a variety of manifestations in d- ferent areas of physics. In the sense considered here, quantum interference is concerned with coherence and correlation phenomena in radiation ?elds and between their sources. It is intimately connected with the phenomenon of non-separability (or entanglement) in quantum mechanics. On account of this, it is obvious that quantum interference may be regarded as a com- nent of quantum information theory, which investigates the ability of the electromagnetic ?eld to transfer information between correlated (entangled) systems. Since it is important to transfer information with the minimum of corruption, the theory of quantum interference is naturally related to the theory of quantum ?uctuations and decoherence. Since the early days of quantum mechanics, interference has been - scribed as the real quantum mystery. Feynman, in his famous introduction to the lectures on the single particle superposition principle, referred in the following way to the phenomenon of interference: “it has in it the heart of quantum mechanics”, and it is really ‘the only mystery’ of quantum mech- ics. With the development of experimental techniques, it has been possible to carry out many of the early Gedanken experiments that played an important role in developing our understanding of the fundamentals of quantum int- ference and entanglement. Despite its long history, quantum interference still challenges our understanding, and continues to excite our imagination.

A clear and engaging discussion Written by a highly respected quantum physicist Puzzling phenomena made comprehensible Describes solutions to challenging quandries in physics

Semiconductor nanostructures are attracting a great deal of interest as the most promising device with which to implement quantum information processing and quantum computing. This book surveys the present status of nanofabrication techniques, near field spectroscopy and microscopy to assist the fabricated nanostructures. It will be essential reading for academic and industrial researchers in pure and applied physics, optics, semiconductors and microelectronics. The first up-to-date review articles on various aspects on quantum coherence, correlation and decoherence in semiconductor nanostructures

The Eighth Rochester Conference on Coherence and Quantum Optics was held on the campus of the University of Rochester during the period June 13-16,2001. This volume contains the proceedings of the meeting. The meeting was preceded by an affiliated conference, the International Conference on Quantum Information, with some overlapping sessions on June 13. The proceedings of the affiliated conference will be published separately by the Optical Society of America. A few papers that were presented in common plenary sessions of the two conferences will be published in both proceedings volumes. More than 268 scientists from 28 countries participated in the week long discussions and presentations. This Conference differed from the previous seven in the CQO series in several ways, the most important of which was the absence of Leonard Mandel. Professor Mandel died a few months before the conference. A special memorial symposium in his honor was held at the end of the conference. The presentations from that symposium are included in this proceedings volume. An innovation, that we believe made an important contribution to the conference, was the inclusion of a series of invited lectures chaired by CQO founder Emil Wolf, reviewing the history of the fields of coherence and quantum optics before about 1970. These were given by three prominent participants in the development of the field, C. Cohen-Tannoudji, 1. F. Clauser, and R. I. Glauber.

In this book, Henry Bar, physicist and the first quantum superhero, guides the reader through the amazing quantum world. His hair-raising adventures in his perilous struggle for quantum coherence are graphically depicted by comics and thoroughly explained to the lay reader. Behind each adventure lies a key concept in quantum physics. These concepts range from the basic quantum coherence and entanglement through tunnelling and the recently discovered quantum decoherence control, to the principles of the emerging technologies of quantum communication and computing. The explanations of the concepts are accessible, but nonetheless rigorous and detailed. They are followed by an account of the broader context of these concepts, their historic perspective, current status and forthcoming developments. Finally, thought-provoking philosophical and cultural implications of these concepts are discussed. The mathematical appendices of all chapters cover in a straightforward manner the core aspects of quantum physics at the level of a university introductory course. The Quantum Matrix presents an entertaining, popular, yet comprehensive picture of quantum physics . It can be read as a light-hearted illustrated tale, a philosophical treatise, or a textbook. Either way, the book lets the reader delve deeply into the wondrous quantum world from diverse perspectives and obtain glimpses into the quantum technologies that are about to reshape our lives. This book offers the reader an enjoyable and rewarding voyage through the quantum world.

The foundations of quantum mechanics has acquired tremendous importance in recent years for three reasons: First, a large number of experiments have tested concepts which previously were purely theoretical. Second, ideas from the foundations of quantum mechanics are being applied now to many fields such as condensed matter physics, quantum statistics, quantum cosmology and quantum gravity. Third, difficulties in constructing a quantum cosmology and theory of gravity have made many theorists examine the foundations of quantum theory to see if quantum mechanics itself needs to be modified. Very distinguished physicists from around the world gave talks on their recent research on a variety of theoretical and experimental aspects on these subjects at this conference. Contents: The Berry Phase as an Appropriate Correspondence Limit of the Aharonov-Anandan Phase in a Simple Model (J Christian & A Shimony)On the Nature of the Transition in Quantum Field Theory from Flat to Curved Space-Time (P J Camp & J L Safko)The Aharonov-Bohm Effect without Gauge Fields – A Paradox (I Klebanov & L Susskind)Geometrical and Topological (AN)Holonomies in Optical Experiments (R Y Chiao)Some Global Problems in Gauge Theories (F Wilczek)Experimental Verification of the Aharonov-Casher Effect for Neutrons with a Crystal Interferometer (G I Opat et al.)Fundamental Aspects of Quantum Theory Related to the Problem of Quantizing Black Holes (G ' t Hooft)A Suggested New Translation Gauge Invariance for Space-time (D Bohm)Spin and the Aharonov-Bohm Effect (C R Hagen)The Aharonov-Bohm Effect in Small Resistive Devices (R A Webb)Wave Geometry: A Plurality of Singularities (M V Berry)Analogue of the Aharonov-Bohm Effect for Black Holes and Strings (S B Giddings)Closing in on a Renormalizable and Unitary Point-Local Quantum Field Theory of Gravity (Y Ne ' eman & C-Y Lee)Gravitational Chern-Simons Term, Anyons and AB (S Deser)Experimental Confirmation of the Aharonov-Bohm Effect by Electron Holography (A Tonomura)A Geometric View of Quantum Mechanics (J Anandan)Towards a Two Vector Formulation of Quantum Mechanics (Y Aharonov & D Rohrlich)Musings on Quantum Statistics (A Zee)Topology, Quantum Theory and Dynamics (E C G Sudarshan)and other papers Readership: Experimental and theoretical physicists. keywords:

Entanglement and (de-)coherence arguably define the central issues of concern in present day quantum information theory. Entanglement being a consequence of the quantum mechanical superposition principle for composite systems, a better understanding of the environment-induced destruction of coherent superposition states is required to devise novel strategies for harvesting quantum interference phenomena. The present book collects a series of advanced lectures on the theoretical foundations of this active research field, from mathematical aspects underlying quantum topology to mesoscopic transport theory. All lectures start out from an elementary level and proceed along a steep learning curve. This makes the material particularly suitable for student seminars on the more fundamental theoretical aspects of quantum information, and equally useful as supplementary reading for advanced lectures on this topic.