Confining the state of light to a quantum manifold by engineered two-photon loss

TLDR

Quantum systems require stabilization methods to maintain desired states, yet measurement can perturb them, analogous to error correction needed in classical communication. Engineering system–environment interactions can stabilize fragile quantum states, potentially simplifying quantum information processing. Leghtas et al., Science, p.

Abstract

A way to induce quantum stability Dynamical systems, whether classical or quantum, usually require a method to stabilize performance and maintain the required state. For instance, communication between computers requires error correction codes to ensure that information is transferred correctly. In a quantum system, however, the very act of measuring it can perturb it. Leghtas et al. show that engineering the interaction between a quantum system and its environment can induce stability for the delicate quantum states, a process that could simplify quantum information processing. Science , this issue p. 853