Experimental Preparation and Measurement of Quantum States of Motion of a Trapped Atom
Abstract
We report the creation and full determination of several quantum states of motion of a 9Be ion bound in a RF (Paul) trap. The states are coherently prepared from an ion which has been initially laser cooled to the zero-point of motion. We create states having both classical and non-classical character including thermal, number, coherent, squeezed, and Schrodinger cat states. The motional quantum state is fully reconstructed using two novel schemes that determine the density matrix in the number state basis or the Wigner function. Our techniques allow well controlled experiments decoherence and related phenomena on the quantum-classical borderline.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- AD1003431
Entities
People
- B. E. King
- C. Monroe
- D. Leibfried
- D. M. Meekhof
- David J. Wineland
- W. M. Itano
Organizations
- National Institute of Standards and Technology