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Abstract: |
When we first learn about quantum mechanics it appears to be a
paler version of classical physics. Quantities are
fundamentally uncertain, random, and one cannot measure one
thing without disturbing another. This notion cannot be further
from the truth. Quantum physics is now understood to be
fundamentally MORE powerful for performing certain information
processing tasks, from factoring large numbers to sharing
secrets. Bringing this promise into laboratory and ultimately
real devices has been a grand challenge. In this colloquium I
will discuss two key components -- quantum control and
measurement. These are flip sides of the same coin. In quantum
control, one applies an external force to affect a dynamical map
on the system of interest. In quantum measurement, information
about the system is mapped to the probe, which can then be
detected as a macroscopic signal. These paradigms are explored
in a near ideal platform -- ultracold atomic spins controlled
and measured through magneto-optical interactions. I will
discuss the theoretical development of new protocols and their
implementation in the laboratory here at the College of Optical
Sciences in the group of Professor P. S. Jessen. |