Doctoral student Simon Dengis, working with the Quantum Statistical Physics (PQS) group at ULiege, devised a solution akin to optimizing a route through a crowded supermarket. In his analogy, just as a shopper speeds through a store by minimizing sharp turns, atoms can evolve faster when their quantum pathways are smoothed. The result is an ultrafast creation of NOON states, which are quantum superpositions of particles occupying distinct states simultaneously. "These states, which look like miniature versions of Schrodinger's famous cat, are quantum superpositions," said Dengis. "They are of major interest for technologies such as ultra-precise quantum sensors or quantum computers."
One of the central barriers to practical NOON state generation has been time. Conventional methods require tens of minutes to complete, often exceeding the lifespan of the ultracold atomic systems. This delay is primarily due to energy constraints that act like tight curves in the evolution of the quantum system, forcing it to decelerate.
The Liege team circumvented this problem using a combination of counterdiabatic driving and optimal geodesic path planning-tools that allow the quantum system to traverse its state space more efficiently. "This strategy saves a considerable amount of time: in some cases, the process is accelerated by a factor of 10,000, while maintaining 99% fidelity, i.e. near-perfection of the result," noted laboratory director Peter Schlagheck. Their approach reduces the NOON state preparation time from roughly ten minutes to just 0.1 seconds.
This dramatic acceleration unlocks practical possibilities for NOON states in fields such as quantum metrology and quantum information science. Potential applications include highly sensitive instruments like quantum gyroscopes or compact gravitational sensors.
The breakthrough underscores the productive interplay between theoretical models and laboratory implementation. By fusing advanced mathematics, core physics, and experimental rigor, the ULiege researchers have laid a foundation for turning quantum concepts into real-world tools.
Quantum superposition is the principle that allows a quantum system to exist in multiple states at once until it is measured. A classic illustration is Schrodinger's cat, simultaneously alive and dead until observed. NOON states embody this idea, with particles simultaneously occupying two locations. Measurement collapses the state, revealing the particles in one place or the other.
Research Report:Accelerated creation of NOON states with ultracold atoms via counterdiabatic driving
Related Links
University of Liege
Understanding Time and Space
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