Distinguishing decoherence from alternative quantum theories by dynamical decoupling

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel experimental method using dynamical decoupling to distinguish standard quantum decoherence from alternative collapse theories, providing a way to test foundational quantum mechanics.

Contribution

It introduces a new approach based on dynamical decoupling to verify alternative quantum theories and proves that unbounded Hamiltonians can always be decoupled.

Findings

Nonzero saturation of decoupling error indicates alternative theories.

Unbounded Hamiltonians can be decoupled with the proposed method.

Provides new dilations of Lindbladians.

Abstract

A longstanding challenge in the foundations of quantum mechanics is the verification of alternative collapse theories despite their mathematical similarity to decoherence. To this end, we suggest a novel method based on dynamical decoupling. Experimental observation of nonzero saturation of the decoupling error in the limit of fast decoupling operations can provide evidence for alternative quantum theories. As part of the analysis we prove that unbounded Hamiltonians can always be decoupled, and provide novel dilations of Lindbladians.