Optimal joint measurements of complementary observables by a single trapped ion

Paul Busch, T.P. Xiong, L.L. Yan, Z.H. Ma, F. Zhou, L. Chen, W.L. Yang, Mang Feng

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The uncertainty relations, pioneered by Werner Heisenberg nearly 90 years ago, set a fundamental limitation on the joint measurability of complementary observables. This limitation has long been a subject of debate, which has been reignited recently due to new proposed forms of measurement uncertainty relations. The present work is associated with a new error trade-off relation for compatible observables approximating two incompatible observables, in keeping with the spirit of Heisenberg's original ideas of 1927. We report the first direct test and confirmation of the tight bounds prescribed by such an error trade-off relation, based on an experimental realisation of optimal joint measurements of complementary observables using a single ultracold 40Ca+ ion trapped in a harmonic potential. Our work provides a prototypical determination of ultimate joint measurement error bounds with potential applications in quantum information science for high-precision measurement and information security.
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages14
JournalNew Journal of Physics
Volume19
Early online date4 May 2017
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2017

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Keywords

  • quantum theory
  • quantum measurement
  • measurement uncertainty
  • quit
  • experimental test

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