Looking for good introduction to coherence/decoherence

In summary, the conversation discusses the topic of coherence and decoherence in layman's terms, with the speaker asking for a good internet source to understand the concept. They mention that their intro modern physics class did not cover the topic due to time constraints, so they are trying to learn it on their own. The conversation also briefly touches on how to display a forum avatar. The suggested sources for understanding decoherence include the Wikipedia page and a couple of equations, with the speaker recommending two specific articles for further reading.
  • #1
Swankie
15
0
Hi all, does anyone here have a good internet source that explains coherence and decoherence in layman's terms? My intro modern physics class left off at the beginning of schrodingers wave function due to time constraints and I am trying to teach myself a bit of the stuff we missed.

Thanks =)

p.s. on an unrelated note, how do you get to show your forum avatar? Saw the option to display it but do not see anywhere to upload it.
 
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  • #2

Related to Looking for good introduction to coherence/decoherence

1. What is coherence and decoherence?

Coherence refers to the property of a quantum system in which the amplitude and phase of its quantum states remain constant over time. Decoherence is the process by which a quantum system interacts with its environment, causing the loss of coherence and resulting in the system behaving classically.

2. Why is coherence important in quantum systems?

Coherence is essential for many quantum phenomena, such as superposition and entanglement, to occur. It allows for the manipulation and control of quantum states, which is crucial in quantum computing and other quantum technologies.

3. What factors affect the coherence of a quantum system?

The main factors that can influence coherence are the temperature, external electromagnetic fields, and interactions with the environment. These factors can cause decoherence, leading to the loss of coherence in the system.

4. How is coherence measured and quantified?

The coherence of a quantum system can be measured using various techniques, such as quantum state tomography and quantum interferometry. It can also be quantified using metrics such as fidelity and coherence time, which describe the system's ability to maintain coherence.

5. What are the current challenges in achieving coherence in quantum systems?

One of the biggest challenges in achieving coherence is minimizing the effects of decoherence, which can be caused by various external factors. Another challenge is creating and maintaining stable and long-lasting quantum states, which is crucial for practical applications of quantum technologies.

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