Conditional evolution and real-time feedback in open quantum systems

California Institute Of Technology, Pasadena CA

Investigators

Abstract

This research project focuses on experimental and theoretical research on continuous observation and feedback control of single-atom dynamics in cavity QED. The focus will be on a newly discovered class of supercritical Hopf bifurcations that are predicted both by semi-classical and quantum models for the atom-cavity dynamics. The plan is to investigate quantum-classical correspondence between these models via experiments with real-time filtering and feedback, and to use single-atom bifurcations as a setting to study the interaction of quantum fluctuations with semi-classical dynamical instabilities. An experimental apparatus to perform cavity QED with a Fabry-Perot optical resonator and atoms guided by a magnetic micro-structure will be constructed. The broader impact involves education of graduate students as well as efforts in diversity and outreach.