Cat state acting on given Hamiltonian

In summary, "cat states" in quantum mechanics refer to a superposition of two or more distinct states, named after the famous "Schrödinger's cat" thought experiment. When acted upon by a Hamiltonian, the cat state will undergo a transformation according to the laws of quantum mechanics. Studying cat states and Hamiltonians is crucial for understanding the behavior of quantum systems and has various practical applications such as quantum computing and precision measurements. These states can be created and observed in a laboratory setting using techniques such as entanglement, and further research is needed to fully utilize their potential.
  • #1
deepalakshmi
95
6
TL;DR Summary
Can a Hamiltonian which contain superposition of (a^†)b act on even coherent state
For example if I consider H = (a^†)b+a(b^†), how will it act on even coherent state i.e. |α⟩+|-α⟩?. I know that |α⟩ don't act on (a^†) because |α⟩ is a eigenstate of lowering operator.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
deepalakshmi said:
I know that |α⟩ don't act on (a^†) because |α⟩ is a eigenstate of lowering operator.
First, you are saying this backwards: operators act on states, not states on operators.

Second, the fact that a state is an eigenstate of one operator certainly does not mean that no other operators can act on it. All it means is that other operators will change the state.
 
  • Like
Likes vanhees71

FAQ: Cat state acting on given Hamiltonian

What is a "Cat state" in quantum mechanics?

A "Cat state" is a type of quantum state that exhibits properties of both classical and quantum systems. It is a superposition of two distinct states, such as a dead and alive state, that can exist simultaneously until measured or observed.

How does a Cat state act on a given Hamiltonian?

A Cat state acts on a given Hamiltonian by evolving according to the Schrödinger equation, which describes the time evolution of quantum systems. The Hamiltonian is an operator that represents the total energy of the system, and the Cat state will evolve based on the specific interactions and energies present in the Hamiltonian.

What are some real-world applications of Cat states?

Cat states have been proposed for use in quantum computing, quantum communication, and quantum cryptography. They have also been studied in the context of quantum metrology and precision measurements.

Can a Cat state be observed or measured?

Yes, a Cat state can be observed or measured, but the act of measurement will collapse the state into one of its two distinct states. This is known as the "collapse of the wavefunction" in quantum mechanics.

How is a Cat state different from other types of quantum states?

A Cat state is different from other types of quantum states because it is a superposition of two distinct states, rather than just one state. This allows for the potential for different outcomes or behaviors, depending on the specific interaction with the given Hamiltonian.

Similar threads

Back
Top