Quantum nondemolition measurements

Journal Article · Fri Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1980 · Science; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.209.4456.547· OSTI ID:6899336

Braginsky, V B ^[1]; Vorontsov, Y I; Thorne, K S

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1. Moscow Univ., USSR

Some future gravitational-wave antennas will be cylinders of mass approx. 100 kilograms, whose end-to-end vibrations must be measured so accurately (10/sup -19/ centimeter) that they behave quantum mechanically. Moreover, the vibration amplitude must be measured over and over again without perturbing it (quantum nondemolition measurement). This situation contrasts with quantum chemistry, quantum optics, or atomic, nuclear, and elementary particle physics, where one usually makes measurements on an ensemble of identical objects and does not care whether any single object is perturbed or destroyed by the measurement. The new electronic techniques required for quantum nondemolition measurements and the theory underlying them are described. Quantum nondemolition measurements may find application elsewhere in science and technology. 2 figures.

• OSTI ID: 6899336
• Journal Information: Science; (United States), Journal Name: Science; (United States) Vol. 209:4456; ISSN SCIEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640106 -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Cosmology
657002* -- Theoretical & Mathematical Physics-- Classical & Quantum Mechanics
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
DISTURBANCES
GRAVITATIONAL WAVE DETECTORS
MATHEMATICS
MEASURE THEORY
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MECHANICS
OPERATION
QUANTUM MECHANICS
RADIATION DETECTORS