Observation of the Quantum Zeno and Anti-Zeno Effects in an Unstable System

M. C. Fischer, B. Gutiérrez-Medina, M. G. Raizen
2001 Physical Review Letters  
We report the first observation of the Quantum Zeno and Anti-Zeno effects in an unstable system. Cold sodium atoms are trapped in a far-detuned standing wave of light that is accelerated for a controlled duration. For a large acceleration the atoms can escape the trapping potential via tunneling. Initially the number of trapped atoms shows strong non-exponential decay features, evolving into the characteristic exponential decay behavior. We repeatedly measure the number of atoms remaining
more » ... d during the initial period of non-exponential decay. Depending on the frequency of measurements we observe a decay that is suppressed or enhanced as compared to the unperturbed system.
doi:10.1103/physrevlett.87.040402 pmid:11461604 fatcat:eyqjbaloarg7refhunssdwdcwu