Measuring the quantum state of a large angular momentum

Citation
G. Klose et al., Measuring the quantum state of a large angular momentum, PHYS REV L, 86(21), 2001, pp. 4721-4724
Citations number
26
Categorie Soggetti
Physics
Journal title
PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS
ISSN journal
00319007 → ACNP
Volume
86
Issue
21
Year of publication
2001
Pages
4721 - 4724
Database
ISI
SICI code
0031-9007(20010521)86:21<4721:MTQSOA>2.0.ZU;2-Y
Abstract
We demonstrate a general method to measure the quantum state of an angular momentum of arbitrary magnitude. The (2F + 1) X (2F + 1) density matrix is completely determined from a set of Stern-Gerlach measurements with (4F + 1 ) different orientations of the quantization axis. We implement the protoco l for laser cooled Cesium atoms in the 6S(1/2)(F = 4) hyperfine ground stat e and apply it to a variety of test states: prepared by optical pumping and Larmor precession. A comparison of input and measured states shows; typica l reconstruction fidelities F greater than or similar to 0.95.