arXiv subjects

Peter J. Beierle

Publications and source records attributed to Peter J. Beierle.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Development of a Quantum Blackbody Thermometer toward Primary On-orbit Thermometry

We present a roadmap to a deployable, intrinsically calibrated thermometer with long-term accuracy of 30 mK, exceeding existing on-orbit resistance-based thermometers. Our quantum blackbody thermometer is based on measuring fluorescence ratios of optically excited rubidium atoms in microfabricated vapor cells. The key advantage of the quantum blackbody thermometer is that long-term stability of the fluorescence ratios is guaranteed by the immutable physical properties (transition strengths) of the rubidium atom. This should be compared against resistance-based thermometers, such as platinum resistance thermometers, which may be calibrated with exceptional accuracy but are susceptible to temporal drift and shifts due to improper handling.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2017

Spatial Correlation in Matter Wave Interference as a Measure of Decoherence, Dephasing and Entropy

The loss of contrast in double-slit electron-diffraction due to dephasing and decoherence processes is studied. It is shown that the spatial correlation function of diffraction patterns can be used to distinguish between dephasing and decoherence. This establishes a measure of time-reversibility that does not require the determination of coherence terms of the density matrix, while von Neumann entropy, another measure of time-reversibility, does require coherence terms. This technique is exciting in view of the need to understand and control the detrimental experimental effects of contrast loss and for fundamental studies on the transition from the classical to the quantum regime.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2017

Experimental Test of Decoherence Theory using Electron Matter Waves

A controlled decoherence environment is studied experimentally by free electron interaction with semiconducting and metallic plates. The results are compared with physical models based on decoherence theory to investigate the quantum-classical transition. The experiment is consistent with decoherence theory and rules out established Coulomb interaction models in favor of plasmonic excitation models. In contrast to previous decoherence experiments, the present experiment is sensitive to the onset of decoherence.

quant-ph↗