Decoherence and the retrieval of lost information

Abstract

We found that in contrast with the common premise, a measurement on the environment of an open quantum system can {\em reduce} its decoherence rate. We demonstrate it by studying an example of indirect qubit's measurement, where the information on its state is hidden in the environment. This information is extracted by a distant device, coupled with the environment. We also show that the reduction of decoherence generated by this device, is accompanied with diminution of the environmental noise in a vicinity of the qubit. An interpretation of these results in terms of quantum interference on large scales is presented.

9 pages, 8 figures, additional explanations added, Phys. Rev. B, in press