Quantum Measurement

This book is an up-to-date introduction to the quantum theory of measurement, a fast developing field of intense current interest to scientists and engineers for its potential high technology applications. It is also a subject of importance to students for its central role in the foundations of quantum mechanics. Although the main principles of the field were elaborated in the 1930s by Bohr, Schrödinger, Heisenberg, von Neumann and Mandelstam, it was not until the 1980s that technology became sufficiently advanced to allow its application in real experiments. Quantum measurement is now central to many ultra-high technology developments, such as squeezed light, single atom traps, and searches for gravitational radiation. It is also considered to have great promise for computer science and engineering, particularly for its applications in information processing and transfer. The book contains a pedagogical introduction to the relevant theory written at a level accessible to those with only a modest background in quantum mechanics. It then goes on to discuss aspects of the design of practical quantum measurement systems. This book is essential reading for all scientists and engineers interested in the potential applications of technology near the quantum limit. It will also serve as an ideal supplement to standard quantum mechanics textbooks at the advanced undergraduate or graduate level. This book is an up-to-date introduction to the quantum theory of measurement, a fast developing field of intense current interest to scientists and engineers for its potential high-technology applications. It is also a subject of importance to students for its central role in the foundations of quantum mechanics.Although the main principles of the field were elaborated in the 1930s by Bohr, Schrodinger, Heisenberg, von Neumann and Mandelstam, it was not until the 1980s that technology became sufficiently advanced to allow its application in real experiments. Quantum measurement is now central to many ultra-high technology developments, such as squeezed light, single atom traps, and searches for gravitational radiation. It is also considered to have great promise for computer science and engineering, particularly for its applications in information processing and transfer. The book contains a pedagogical introduction to the relevant theory written at a level accessible to those with only a modest background in quantum mechanics. It then goes on to discuss aspects of the design of practical quantum measurement systems.This book is essential reading for all scientists and engineers interested in the potential applications of technology near the quantum limit. It will also serve as an ideal supplement to standard quantum mechanics textbooks at the advanced undergraduate or graduate level.

this Book Is An Up-to-date Introduction To The Quantum Theory Of Measurement. Although The Main Principles Of The Field Were Elaborated In The 1930s By Bohr, Schrödinger, Heisenberg, Von Neuman, And Mandelstam, It Was Not Until The 1980s That Technology Became Sufficiently Advanced To Allow Its Application In Real Experiments. Quantum Measurement Is Now Central To Many Ultra-high Technology Developments, Such As Squeezed Light, Single Atom Traps, And Searches For Gravitational Radiation. It Is Also Considered To Have Great Promise For Computer Science And Engineering, Particularly For Its Applications In Information Processing And Transfer. The Book Begins With A Brief Introduction To The Relevant Theory And Goes On To Discuss All Aspects Of The Design Of Practical Quantum Measurement Systems.

Ch. I. Historical Introduction: Photons And Measurements Using Photons -- Ch. Ii. The Main Principles Of Quantum Mechanics -- Ch. Iii. Indirect Measurements -- Ch. Iv. Quantum Nondemolition Measurements -- Ch. V. Linear Measurements -- Ch. Vi. Continuous Linear Measurements -- Ch. Vii. Nonlinear Systems For Continuous Measurements -- Ch. Viii. Detection Of Classical Forces -- Ch. Ix. Energetic Quantum Limitations -- Ch. X. Devices For Measuring Small Mechanical Displacements -- Ch. Xi. Quantum Nondemolition Measurements Of A Resonator's Energy -- Ch. Xii. Nonclassical States Of Electromagnetic Waves As Tools For Quantum Measurements. Vladimir B. Braginsky And Farid Ya. Khalili ; Edited By Kip S. Thorne. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. In the standard, textbook treatment of quantum mechanics, the contact with experiment is described in terms of probabilities for obtaining this, that, or another result, when identical experiments are performed on a huge number (ensemble) of identical objects.