The preparation of states in quantum mechanics

Abstract

The important problem of how to prepare a quantum mechanical system, $S$, in a specific initial state of interest - e.g., for the purposes of some experiment - is addressed. Three distinct methods of state preparation are described. One of these methods has the attractive feature that it enables one to prepare $S$ in a preassigned initial state with certainty; i.e., the probability of success in preparing $S$ in a given state is unity. This method relies on coupling $S$ to an open quantum-mechanical environment, $E$, in such a way that the dynamics of $S\vee E$ pulls the state of $S$ towards an "attractor", which is the desired initial state of $S$. This method is analyzed in detail.

47 pages

References in corpus (2)

• Shortcut to adiabatic passage in two and three level atoms
• On the probabilistic nature of quantum mechanics and the notion of closed systems

Cited by in corpus (1)

• The Time-Evolution of States in Quantum Mechanics