Quantum feedback by discrete quantum nondemolition measurements: Towards on-demand generation of photon-number states

Igor Dotsenko (1, 2) , Mazyar Mirrahimi (3) , Michel Brune (1) , Serge Haroche (1, 2) , Jean-Michel Raimond (1) , Pierre Rouchon (4)

1 LKB (Lhomond) - Laboratoire Kastler Brossel
2 LKB [Collège de France] - Laboratoire Kastler Brossel
3 SISYPHE - SIgnals and SYstems in PHysiology & Engineering
4 CAS - Centre Automatique et Systèmes

We propose a quantum feedback scheme for the preparation and protection of photon-number states of light trapped in a high-Q microwave cavity. A quantum nondemolition measurement of the cavity field provides information on the photon-number distribution. The feedback loop is closed by injecting into the cavity a coherent pulse adjusted to increase the probability of the target photon number. The efficiency and reliability of the closed-loop state stabilization is assessed by quantum Monte Carlo simulations. We show that, in realistic experimental conditions, the Fock states are efficiently produced and protected against decoherence.

Domaines: Automatique / Robotique

Igor Dotsenko, Mazyar Mirrahimi, Michel Brune, Serge Haroche, Jean-Michel Raimond, et al.. Quantum feedback by discrete quantum nondemolition measurements: Towards on-demand generation of photon-number states. Physical Review A : Atomic, molecular, and optical physics [1990-2015], 2009, pp.013805. ⟨10.1103/PhysRevA.80.013805⟩. ⟨hal-00476111⟩