Detection of Quantum Critical Points by a Probe Qubit

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Date

2008-03-13

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The American Physical Society

Abstract

Quantum phase transitions occur when the ground state of a quantum system undergoes a qualitative change when an external control parameter reaches a critical value. Here, we demonstrate a technique for studying quantum systems undergoing a phase transition by coupling the system to a probe qubit. It uses directly the increased sensibility of the quantum system to perturbations when it is close to a critical point. Using an NMR quantum simulator, we demonstrate this measurement technique for two different types of quantum phase transitions in an Ising spin chain.

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Citation

Zhang, Jingfu; Peng, Xinhua; Rajendran, Nageswaran; Suter, Dieter: Detection of Quantum Critical Points by a Probe Qubit. In: Physical Review Letters Jg. 100(2008), 100501.