Abstract
The Hamiltonian of a closed quantum system governs its complete time evolution. While Hamiltonians with time-variation in a single basis can be recovered using a variety of methods, for more general Hamiltonians the presence of non-commuting terms complicates the reconstruction. Here using a single trapped ion, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a method for estimating a time-dependent Hamiltonian of a single qubit. We measure the time evolution of the qubit in a fixed basis as a function of a time-independent offset term added to the Hamiltonian. The initially unknown Hamiltonian arises from transporting an ion through a static laser beam. Hamiltonian estimation allows us to estimate the spatial beam intensity profile and the ion velocity as a function of time. The estimation technique is general enough that it can be applied to other quantum systems, aiding the pursuit of high-operational fidelities in quantum control. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000115838Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
Nature CommunicationsVolume
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
NatureOrganisational unit
03892 - Home, Jonathan / Home, Jonathan
Funding
134776 - Quantum state engineering in microfabricated surface-electrode ion traps. (SNF)
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