Pure-State Quantum Trajectories for General Non-Markovian Systems Do Not Exist

Howard M. Wiseman and J. M. Gambetta
Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 140401 – Published 30 September 2008

Abstract

Since the first derivation of non-Markovian stochastic Schrödinger equations, their interpretation has been contentious. In a recent Letter [Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 080401 (2008)], Diósi claimed to prove that they generate “true single system trajectories [conditioned on] continuous measurement.” In this Letter, we show that his proof is fundamentally flawed: the solution to his non-Markovian stochastic Schrödinger equation at any particular time can be interpreted as a conditioned state, but joining up these solutions as a trajectory creates a fiction.

  • Received 18 June 2008

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.101.140401

©2008 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Howard M. Wiseman1 and J. M. Gambetta2

  • 1Centre for Quantum Dynamics, School of Science, Griffith University, Nathan 4111, Australia
  • 2Institute for Quantum Computing and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1

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Issue

Vol. 101, Iss. 14 — 3 October 2008

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