Loss of quantum coherence in a system coupled to a zero-temperature environment

A. Ratchov (1) , F. Faure (1) , Frank. W. J. Hekking (1)

1 LPM2C - Laboratoire de physique et modélisation des milieux condensés

We discuss the influence of a zero-temperature environment on a coherent quantum system. First, we calculate the reduced density operator of the system in the framework of the well-known, exactly solvable model of an oscillator coupled to a bath of harmonic oscillators. Then, we propose the sketch of an Aharonov--Bohm-like interferometer showing, through interference measurements, the decrease of the coherence length of the system due to the interaction with the environment, even in the zero temperature limit.

Mots clés: decoherence; dephasing; quantum; environment; measurment; oscillator; interference; zero-temperature

Domaines: Physique Quantique [quant-ph]; Systèmes mésoscopiques et effet Hall quantique [cond-mat.mes-hall]

A. Ratchov, F. Faure, Frank. W. J. Hekking. Loss of quantum coherence in a system coupled to a zero-temperature environment. 2005. ⟨hal-00001177v2⟩