Experimental investigation of quantum entropic uncertainty relations for multiple measurements in pure diamond

Abstract One unique feature of quantum mechanics is the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, which states that the outcomes of two incompatible measurements cannot simultaneously achieve arbitrary precision. In an information-theoretic context of quantum information, the uncertainty principle can be fo...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Jian Xing, Yu-Ran Zhang, Shang Liu, Yan-Chun Chang, Jie-Dong Yue, Heng Fan, Xin-Yu Pan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Publishing Group 2017-05-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-02424-6
Description
Summary:Abstract One unique feature of quantum mechanics is the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, which states that the outcomes of two incompatible measurements cannot simultaneously achieve arbitrary precision. In an information-theoretic context of quantum information, the uncertainty principle can be formulated as entropic uncertainty relations with two measurements for a quantum bit (qubit) in two-dimensional system. New entropic uncertainty relations are studied for a higher-dimensional quantum state with multiple measurements, and the uncertainty bounds can be tighter than that expected from two measurements settings and cannot result from qubits system with or without a quantum memory. Here we report the first room-temperature experimental testing of the entropic uncertainty relations with three measurements in a natural three-dimensional solid-state system: the nitrogen-vacancy center in pure diamond. The experimental results confirm the entropic uncertainty relations for multiple measurements. Our result represents a more precise demonstrating of the fundamental uncertainty principle of quantum mechanics.
ISSN:2045-2322