A neutron-spin experimental test of the quantum Zeno effect (QZE) is discussed from a practical point of view, where the nonideal efficiency of the magnetic mirrors, used for filtering the spin state, is taken into account. In the idealized case, the number N of (ideal) mirrors can be indefinitely increased, yielding an increasingly better QZE. In contrast, in a practical situation with imperfect mirrors, there is an optimal number of mirrors, Nopt , at which the QZE becomes maximum: more frequent measurements would deteriorate the performance. However, a quantitative analysis shows that a good experimental test of the QZE is still feasible. These conclusions are of general validity: in a realistic experiment, the presence of losses and imperfections leads to an optimal frequency Nopt , which is in general finite. One should not increase N beyond Nopt . A convenient formula for Nopt , valid in a broad framework, is derived as a function of the parameters characterizing the experimental setup.
Optimization of a Neutron-Spin Test of the Quantum Zeno Effect
FACCHI, PAOLO;PASCAZIO, Saverio;
2003-01-01
Abstract
A neutron-spin experimental test of the quantum Zeno effect (QZE) is discussed from a practical point of view, where the nonideal efficiency of the magnetic mirrors, used for filtering the spin state, is taken into account. In the idealized case, the number N of (ideal) mirrors can be indefinitely increased, yielding an increasingly better QZE. In contrast, in a practical situation with imperfect mirrors, there is an optimal number of mirrors, Nopt , at which the QZE becomes maximum: more frequent measurements would deteriorate the performance. However, a quantitative analysis shows that a good experimental test of the QZE is still feasible. These conclusions are of general validity: in a realistic experiment, the presence of losses and imperfections leads to an optimal frequency Nopt , which is in general finite. One should not increase N beyond Nopt . A convenient formula for Nopt , valid in a broad framework, is derived as a function of the parameters characterizing the experimental setup.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
