Expression for the decoherence rate due to air-molecule scattering in spatial qubits

We provide an expression for the decoherence rate in spatial superpositions due to scattering or collision with air molecules which is independent of the wavelength of the air molecules. This result reproduces the short- and long-wavelength limits known in the literature. We compare the decoherence rate with several existing interpolations in the literature and evaluate the decoherence rate and experimental parameters when creating macroscopic quantum spatial superpositions (i.e., in micron-size spheres). The interpolation regime is relevant in, e.g., matter-wave interferometry, where one might switch between the wavelength limits during the experimental protocol. Finally, we consider the decoherence rate's time dependence while creating and closing the spatial superposition in an interferometer setup.

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Publication Details

Journal
Physical review. A/Physical review, A
Published
2025-04-17
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1103/physreva.111.042211
Citations
8
Primary Topic
Quantum Information and Cryptography
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
19.85

Funders

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article

Expression for the decoherence rate due to air-molecule scattering in spatial qubits

Martine Schut, Sougato Bose, Anupam Mazumdar, Marko Toroš et al.
8 citations
Physical review. A/Physical review, A
Quantum Information and Cryptography
19.85
article

Expression for the decoherence rate due to air-molecule scattering in spatial qubits

Martine Schut, Sougato Bose, Anupam Mazumdar, Marko Toroš, Patrick Andriolo
article en
8 citations

Abstract

We provide an expression for the decoherence rate in spatial superpositions due to scattering or collision with air molecules which is independent of the wavelength of the air molecules. This result reproduces the short- and long-wavelength limits known in the literature. We compare the decoherence rate with several existing interpolations in the literature and evaluate the decoherence rate and experimental parameters when creating macroscopic quantum spatial superpositions (i.e., in micron-size spheres). The interpolation regime is relevant in, e.g., matter-wave interferometry, where one might switch between the wavelength limits during the experimental protocol. Finally, we consider the decoherence rate's time dependence while creating and closing the spatial superposition in an interferometer setup.

Physical review. A/Physical review, AVol. 111(4)
University of Ljubljana (SI), University of Groningen (NL), University College London (GB)
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Javna Agencija za Raziskovalno Dejavnost RS, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
Climate action
Openalex Percentile: Top 1%
Quantum Information and Cryptography
19.85
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