Quantum diffusion falsifies the concept of classical trajectories by violation of Leggett-Garg inequality
Year: 2014
Type: preprint
Abstract: When a physical object is in a quantum superposition, interference among the possible quantum paths affects the outcomes of a measurement. Gaining knowledge about the system with an intermediate measurement smears out, if not completely destroys, the resulting interference pattern. Based on this idea, Leggett and Garg formulated an inequality relating two-time correlation measurements, which establishes a quantitative criterion for discerning quantum superposition on a fundamental ground. Originally proposed to test realism of macroscopic physical objects, the inequality is here used to prove the non-classicality of the motion of a cesium atom, which propagates on a space-time discrete lattice. Making use of ideal negative measurements to test the atom's motion, we obtain a 6 sigma experimental violation of the Leggett-Garg inequality. From a broader perspective, our findings provide rigorous validation of the idea that quantum transport experiments cannot be interpreted in terms of classical trajectories.
Source: arXiv (Cornell University)
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1540394273