Dynamics and Control of a Quasi-1D Spin System

TL;DR

This paper explores the dynamics and control of a quasi-one-dimensional spin-1/2 system, demonstrating its potential for quantum information processing and analyzing control limitations with current experimental methods.

Contribution

It provides experimental insights into controlling a linear spin chain system for quantum information tasks without requiring full system control or tomography.

Findings

System serves as a test-bed for multi-body quantum dynamics.

Control achievable is limited but informative about system state.

Potential for quantum information devices without universal control.

Abstract

We study experimentally a system comprised of linear chains of spin-1/2 nuclei that provides a test-bed for multi-body dynamics and quantum information processing. This system is a paradigm for a new class of quantum information devices that can perform particular tasks even without universal control of the whole quantum system. We investigate the extent of control achievable on the system with current experimental apparatus and methods to gain information on the system state, when full tomography is not possible and in any case highly inefficient.