NMR simulation of an eight-state quantum system

Abstract

The propagation of excitation along a one-dimensional chain of atoms is simulated by means of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The physical system used as an analog quantum computer is a nucleus of ${}^{133}\mathrm{Cs}$ (spin 7/2) in a liquid-crystalline matrix. First, a pseuodpure state of the spin system is prepared. Then, the Hamiltonian of migration is simulated by using a special seven-frequency pulse. The dynamics is monitored by following the transfer of population from one of the eight spin energy levels to the others.