A study of feedback and quantum continuous measurements: quantum information, thermodynamics and many-body physics

• Grant number: 24/20892-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: July 01, 2025
• End date: June 30, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - General Physics
• Principal Investigator: Diogo de Oliveira Soares Pinto
• Grantee: Guilherme de Sousa
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The aim of this research project is the collaboration between a postdoctoral fellow and several researchers of open quantum systems, focusing on quantum measurements, quantum information, thermodynamics and many-body physics. Quantum measurements are one of the cornerstones of modern quantum mechanics because it is how we interact and get information from physical systems at the lab. For example, measurements validate the preparation of a system in the desired state and collect the results of quantum computation algorithms. However, quantum measurements introduce perturbations in the quantum state, leading to decoherence. To address this issue, we can use weak measurements, which cause a smaller disturbance in the system's state. Recently, a lot of interest was given to continuous measurements and quantum feedback, which can change the evolution of the quantum system based on real-time information. In this context, this project aims in applying the theory of weak and continuous measurements to study quantum technologies. Our focus is to develop a robust theoretical framework for quantum measurements and apply it to various domains, such as: quantum information, quantum thermodynamics, many-body physics, and experimentally verifying these results in platforms such as nitrogen-vacancy centers, optical tweezers, and quantum gases. Through this work, we aspire to create connections between diverse areas of open quantum systems, paving the way for the development of new quantum technologies. (AU)