English

Ideal negative measurements in quantum walks disprove theories based on classical trajectories

Quantum Physics 2015-02-11 v2

Abstract

We report on a stringent test of the non-classicality of the motion of a massive quantum particle, which propagates on a discrete lattice. Measuring temporal correlations of the position of single atoms performing a quantum walk, we observe a 6σ6\sigma violation of the Leggett-Garg inequality. Our results rigorously excludes (i.e. falsifies) any explanation of quantum transport based on classical, well-defined trajectories. We use so-called ideal negative measurements -- an essential requisite for any genuine Leggett-Garg test -- to acquire information about the atom's position, yet avoiding any direct interaction with it. The interaction-free measurement is based on a novel atom transport system, which allows us to directly probe the absence rather than the presence of atoms at a chosen lattice site. Beyond the fundamental aspect of this test, we demonstrate the application of the Leggett-Garg correlation function as a witness of quantum superposition. We here employ the witness to discriminate different types of walks spanning from merely classical to wholly quantum dynamics.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1404.3912,
  title  = {Ideal negative measurements in quantum walks disprove theories based on classical trajectories},
  author = {Carsten Robens and Wolfgang Alt and Dieter Meschede and Clive Emary and Andrea Alberti},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1404.3912},
  year   = {2015}
}

Comments

10 pages, 4 figures