Work

Expression for the decoherence rate due to air-molecule scattering in spatial qubits

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: We provide an expression for the decoherence rate in spatial superpositions due to scattering or collision with air molecules which is independent of the wavelength of the air molecules. This result reproduces the short- and long-wavelength limits known in the literature. We compare the decoherence rate with several existing interpolations in the literature and evaluate the decoherence rate and experimental parameters when creating macroscopic quantum spatial superpositions (i.e., in micron-size spheres). The interpolation regime is relevant in, e.g., matter-wave interferometry, where one might switch between the wavelength limits during the experimental protocol. Finally, we consider the decoherence rate's time dependence while creating and closing the spatial superposition in an interferometer setup.

Source: Physical Review A

DOI: 10.1103/physreva.111.042211

Authors: Martine Schut, Patrick Andriolo, Marko Toroš, Sougato Bose, Anupam Mazumdar

Institutions: University of Groningen, Universidade de São Paulo, University of Ljubljana, University College London

Language: English

Topic: Quantum Mechanics and Applications

Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Javna Agencija za Raziskovalno Dejavnost RS, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council