Quantum Zeno dynamics of a matter-wave bright soliton

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that a Bose-Einstein condensate's bright soliton can be reflected as a whole by an electron beam through quantum Zeno dynamics, offering a new method for manipulating matter-wave solitons.

Contribution

It introduces a novel macroscopic reflection mechanism of a matter-wave bright soliton via quantum Zeno effects induced by electron beam measurements.

Findings

Bright soliton can be reflected by an electron beam without attraction or repulsion.

Quantum Zeno dynamics enable macroscopic control of matter-wave solitons.

Electron beam can stop a bright soliton moving at half its velocity.

Abstract

The quantum measurement problem, namely how the deterministic quantum evolution leads to probabilistic measurement outcomes, remains a profound question to be answered. In the present work, we propose a spectacular demonstration and test of the subtle and peculiar character of the quantum measurement process. We show that a bright soliton supported by a Bose-Einstein condensate can be reflected as a whole by an electron beam, with neither attraction nor repulsion between the condensate's neutral atoms and the beam's electrons. This macroscopic reflection is purely due to the quantum Zeno dynamics induced by the frequent position measurement of the condensate's atoms by the electron beam. As an example of application, just as a soccer player would stop a coming ball, an electron beam moving backward with half the velocity of the bright soliton can precisely stop the soliton. This offers an entirely new and useful tool for manipulating bright solitons.