The origin of macroscopic irreversibility from microscopically time-reversible dynamical laws—often called the arrow-of-time problem—is of fundamental interest in both science and philosophy. Experimentally probing such questions in quantum theory requires systems with near-perfect isolation from the environment and long coherence times. Ultracold atoms are uniquely suited to this task. We experimentally demonstrate a striking parallel between the statistical irreversibility of wavefunction collapse and the arrow of time problem in the weak measurement of the quantum spin of an atomic cloud. Our experiments include statistically rare events where the arrow of time is inferred backward; nevertheless we provide evidence for absolute irreversibility and a strictly positive average arrow of time for the measurement process, captured by a fluctuation theorem. We further demonstrate absolute irreversibility for measurements performed on a quantum many-body entangled wavefunction—a unique opportunity afforded by our platform—with implications for studying quantum many-body dynamics and quantum thermodynamics.
A coherent two-photon optical Raman interaction in a pseudo-spin-1/2 Bose–Einstein condensate (BEC) serves as a q-plate for atoms, converting spin to orbital angular momentum. This Raman q-plate has a singular pattern in its polarization distribution in analogy to the singular birefringent q-plates used in singular optics. The vortex winding direction and magnitude as well as the final spin state of the BEC depend on the initial spin state and the topology of the optical Raman q-plate beams. Drawing on the mathematical and geometric foundations of singular optics, we derive the equivalent Jones matrix for this Raman q-plate and use it to create and characterize atomic spin singularities in the BEC that are analogous to optical C-point singularities in polarization. By tuning the optical Raman parameters, we can generate a coreless vortex spin texture which contains every possible superposition in a two-state system. We identify this spin texture as a full-Bloch BEC since every point on the Bloch sphere is represented at some point in the cross section of the atomic cloud. This spin–orbit interaction and the spin textures it generates may allow for the observation of interesting geometric phases in matter waves and lead to schemes for topological quantum computation with spinor BECs.
We explore the geometric interpretation of a diabatic, two-photon Raman process as a rotation on the Bloch sphere for a pseudo-spin-1 /2 system. The spin state of a spin-1 /2 quantum system can be described by a point on the surface of the Bloch sphere, and its evolution during a Raman pulse is a trajectory on the sphere determined by properties of the optical beams: the pulse area, the relative intensities and phases, and the relative frequencies. We experimentally demonstrate key features of this model with a 87 Rb spinor Bose-Einstein condensate, which allows us to examine spatially dependent signatures of the Raman beams. The two-photon detuning allows us to precisely control the spin density and imprinted relative phase profiles, as we show with a coreless vortex. With this comprehensive understanding and intuitive geometric interpretation, we use the Raman process to create and tailor as well as study and characterize exotic topological spin textures in spinor BECs.
Absolute electric field measurements present a "chicken-and-egg" situation where calibration of field probes relies on accurate knowledge of the field while precise determination of the field involves measurements with a calibrated probe. Metrology institutes overcome this dilemma by employing careful geometric measurements, Maxwell's equations, and a long chain of calibrations to determine absolute field strength with order of 5% uncertainty. We describe an alternative approach using Rydberg atoms that ties radio frequency electric field strength to Planck's constant through calculable quantum properties of the atoms for improved accuracy and simplicity. In addition to improved calibrations, Rydberg atom probes can be used as sensors and receivers for a wide swath of applications that we describe.
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