arXiv subjects

Abraham G. Kofman

Publications and source records attributed to Abraham G. Kofman.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2022

Sensing microscopic noise events by frequent quantum measurements

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a general method allowing us to unravel microscopic noise events that affect a continuous quantum variable. Such unraveling is achieved by frequent measurements of a discrete variable coupled to the continuous one. The experimental realization involves photons traversing a noisy channel. There, their polarization, whose coupling to the photons spatial wavepacket is subjected to stochastic noise, is frequently measured in the quantum Zeno regime. The measurements not only preserve the polarization state, but also enable the recording of the full noise statistics from the spatially-resolved detection of the photons emerging from the channel. This method proves the possibility of employing photons as quantum noise sensors and robust carriers of information.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2022

Nonlinear coherent heat machines and closed-system thermodynamics

All existing heat machines are dissipative open systems. Hence, they cannot operate fully coherently. We propose to replace this conventional thermodynamic paradigm by a completely different one, whereby heat machines are nonlinear coherent closed systems comprised of few field modes. Their thermal-state input is transformed by nonlinear interactions into non-thermal output with controlled quantum fluctuations and the capacity to deliver work in a chosen mode. This new paradigm allows the bridging of quantum coherent and thermodynamic descriptions.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2020

Anti-Zeno quantum advantage in fast-driven heat machines

Developing quantum machines which can outperform their classical counterparts, thereby achieving quantum supremacy or quantum advantage, is a major aim of the current research on quantum thermodynamics and quantum technologies. Here we show that a fast-modulated cyclic quantum heat machine operating in the non-Markovian regime can lead to significant heat-current and power boosts induced by the anti-Zeno effect. Such boosts signify a quantum advantage over almost all heat-machines proposed thus far that operate in the conventional Markovian regime, where the quantumness of the system-bath interaction plays no role. The present effect owes its origin to the time-energy uncertainty relation in quantum mechanics, which may result in enhanced system-bath energy exchange for modulation periods shorter than the bath correlation-time.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2017

Quantum engine efficiency bound beyond the second law of thermodynamics

According to the second law, the efficiency of cyclic heat engines is limited by the Carnot bound that is attained by engines that operate between two thermal baths under the reversibility condition whereby the total entropy does not increase. Quantum engines operating between a thermal and a squeezed-thermal bath have been shown to surpass this bound. Yet, their maximum efficiency cannot be determined by the reversibility condition, which may yield an unachievable efficiency bound above unity. Here we identify the fraction of the exchanged energy between a quantum system and a bath that necessarily causes an entropy change and derive an inequality for this change. This inequality reveals an efficiency bound for quantum engines energised by a non-thermal bath. This bound does not imply reversibility, unless the two baths are thermal. It cannot be solely deduced from the laws of thermodynamics.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Speed and Efficiency Limits of Multilevel Incoherent Heat Engines

We present a comprehensive theory of heat engines (HE) based on a quantum-mechanical "working fluid" (WF) with periodically-modulated energy levels. The theory is valid for any periodicity of driving Hamiltonians that commute with themselves at all times and do not induce coherence in the WF. Continuous and stroke cycles arise in opposite limits of this theory, which encompasses hitherto unfamiliar cycle forms, dubbed here hybrid cycles. The theory allows us to discover the speed, power and efficiency limits attainable by incoherently-operating multilevel HE depending on the cycle form and the dynamical regimes.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

On the operation of machines powered by quantum non-thermal baths

Diverse models of engines energised by quantum-coherent, hence non-thermal, baths allow the engine efficiency to transgress the standard thermodynamic Carnot bound. These transgressions call for an elucidation of the underlying mechanisms. Here we show that non-thermal baths may impart not only heat, but also mechanical work to a machine. The Carnot bound is inapplicable to such a hybrid machine. Intriguingly, it may exhibit dual action, concurrently as engine and refrigerator, with up to 100% efficiency. We conclude that even though a machine powered by a quantum bath may exhibit an unconventional performance, it still abides by the traditional principles of thermodynamics.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2013

Connection-state approach to pre- and post-selected quantum measurements

We discuss the concept of connection states (or connection matrices) that describe posterior ensembles, post-selected according to the outcomes of a quantum measurement. Connection matrices allow one to obtain results of any weak and some non-weak pre- and post-selected measurements, in the same manner as density matrices allow one to predict the results of conventional quantum measurements. Connection matrices are direct extensions of the density matrices and are generally non-Hermitian, which we show to be a direct consequence of quantum complementarity. This implies that the ultimate reason for unusual weak values is quantum complementarity. We show that connection matrices can be determined experimentally. We also show that retrodictive states are a special case of connection states. We propose a new method of tomography of quantum detectors.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2013

Photon trajectories, anomalous velocities, and weak measurements: A classical interpretation

Recently, Kocsis et al. reported the observation of "average trajectories of single photons" in a two-slit interference experiment [Science 332, 1170 (2011)]. This was possible by using the quantum weak-measurements method, which implies averaging over many events, i.e., in fact, a multi-photon limit of classical linear optics. We give a classical-optics interpretation to this experiment and other related problems. It appears that weak measurements of the local momentum of photons made by Kocsis et al. represent measurements of the Poynting vector in an optical field. We consider both the real and imaginary parts of the local momentum, and show that their measurements have been realized in classical optics using small probe particles. We also examine the appearance of "anomalous" values of the local momentum: either negative (backflow) or exceeding the wavenumber (superluminal propagation). These features appear to be closely related to vortices and evanescent waves. Finally, we revisit a number of older works and find examples of photon-trajectories and anomalous-momentum measurements in various optical experiments.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2012

Nonperturbative theory of weak pre- and post-selected measurements

This paper starts with a brief review of the topic of strong and weak pre- and post-selected (PPS) quantum measurements, as well as weak values, and afterwards presents original work. In particular, we develop a nonperturbative theory of weak PPS measurements of an arbitrary system with an arbitrary meter, for arbitrary initial states. New and simple analytical formulas are obtained for the average and the distribution of the meter pointer variable, which hold to all orders in the weak value. In the case of a mixed preselected state, in addition to the standard weak value, an associated weak value is required to describe weak PPS measurements. In the linear regime, the theory provides the generalized Aharonov-Albert-Vaidman formula. Moreover, we reveal two new regimes of weak PPS measurements: the strongly-nonlinear regime and the inverted region, where the system-dependent contribution to the pointer deflection decreases with increasing the measurement strength. The optimal conditions for weak PPS measurements are achieved in the strongly-nonlinear regime, where the magnitude of the average pointer deflection is equal or close to the maximum. This maximum is independent of the measurement strength, being typically of the order of the pointer uncertainty. We show that the amplification in the weak PPS measurements is a product of two qualitatively different quantities: proper amplification and enhancement. The effects of the free system and meter Hamiltonians are discussed. We also identify optimal meters for weak measurements. Exact solutions are obtained for a certain class of the measured observables. These solutions are used for numerical calculations, the results of which agree with the theory. Moreover, the theory is extended to allow for a completely general post-selection measurement. We also discuss time-symmetry properties of PPS measurements of any strength.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2008

Effects of decoherence and errors on Bell-inequality violation

We study optimal conditions for violation of the Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt form of the Bell inequality in the presence of decoherence and measurement errors. We obtain all detector configurations providing the maximal Bell inequality violation for a general (pure or mixed) state. We consider local decoherence which includes energy relaxation at the zero temperature and arbitrary dephasing. Conditions for the maximal Bell-inequality violation in the presence of decoherence are analyzed both analytically and numerically for the general case and for a number of important special cases. Combined effects of measurement errors and decoherence are also discussed.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2008

Analysis of Bell inequality violation in superconducting qubits

We analyze conditions for violation of the Bell inequality in the Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt form, focusing on the Josephson phase qubits. We start the analysis with maximum violation in the ideal case, and then take into account the effects of the local measurement errors and decoherence. A special attention is paid to configurations of the qubit measurement directions in the pseudospin space lying within either horizontal or vertical planes; these configurations are optimal in certain cases. Besides local measurement errors and decoherence, we also discuss the effect of measurement crosstalk, which affects both the classical inequality and the quantum result. In particular, we propose a version of the Bell inequality which is insensitive to the crosstalk.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2006

Universal Dynamical Control of Local Decoherence for Multipartite and Multilevel Systems

A unified theory is given of dynamically modified decay and decoherence of field-driven multilevel multipartite entangled states that are weakly coupled to zero-temperature baths or undergo random phase fluctuations. The theory allows for arbitrary local differences in their coupling to the environment. Due to such differences, the optimal driving-field modulation to ensure maximal fidelity is found to substantially differ from conventional ``Bang-Bang'' or $π$-phase flips of the single-qubit evolution.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2006

Analysis of measurement errors for a superconducting phase qubit

We analyze several mechanisms leading to errors in a course of measurement of a superconducting flux-biased phase qubit. Insufficiently long measurement pulse may lead to nonadiabatic transitions between qubit states $|1>$ and $|0>$, before tunneling through a reduced barrier is supposed to distinguish the qubit states. Finite (though large) ratio of tunneling rates for these states leads to incomplete discrimination between $|1>$ and $|0>$. Insufficiently fast energy relaxation after the tunneling of state $|1>$ may cause the repopulation of the quantum well in which only the state $|0>$ is supposed to remain. We analyze these types of measurement errors using analytical approaches as well as numerical solution of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation.

cond-mat.supr-con↗