Certifying The Quantumness of A Generalized Coherent Control Scenario

TL;DR

This paper introduces a quantum control interferometer to demonstrate the quantum nature of a generalized coherent control scenario using Bell-CHSH tests, and proposes an experimental implementation involving quantum delayed-choice in alkali atom photoionization.

Contribution

It presents a rigorous method to certify the quantumness of coherent control scenarios through Bell tests and designs a quantum delayed-choice experiment in atomic photoionization.

Findings

Demonstrated the quantum nature of generalized coherent control via Bell-CHSH test.

Proposed a feasible quantum delayed-choice experiment in alkali atom photoionization.

Linked coherent control to fundamental quantum principles through a novel interferometer.

Abstract

We consider the role of quantum mechanics in a specific coherent control scenario, designing a "coherent control interferometer" as the essential tool that links coherent control to quantum fundamentals. Building upon this allows us to rigorously display the genuinely quantum nature of a generalized weak-field coherent control scenario (utilizing 1 vs. 2 photon excitation) via a Bell-CHSH test. Specifically, we propose an implementation of "quantum delayed-choice" in a bichromatic alkali atom photoionization experiment. The experimenter can choose between two complementary situations, which are characterized by a random photoelectron spin polarization with particle-like behaviour on the one hand, and by spin controllability and wave-like nature on the other. Because these two choices are conditioned coherently on states of the driving fields, it becomes physically unknowable, prior to measurement, whether there is control over the spin or not.