Random-time quantum measurements

Abstract

The analysis of a continuous measurement record $z(t)$ poses a fundamental challenge in quantum measurement theory. Different approaches have been used in the past as records can, e.g., exhibit predominantly Gaussian noise, telegraph noise, or clicks at random times. The last case may appear as photon clicks in an optical spin noise measurement at very low probe laser power. Here we show that such random-time quantum measurements can similarly to the first two cases be analyzed in terms of higher-order temporal correlations of the detector output $z(t)$ and be related to the Liouvillian of the measured quantum system. Our analysis in terms of up to fourth-order spectra (quantum polyspectra) shows that this new type of spectra reveals the same valuable information as previously studied higher-order spectra in case of usual continuous quantum measurements. Surprisingly, broad-band system dynamics is revealed even for deliberately low average measurement rates. Many applications are envisioned in high-resolution spectroscopy, single-photon microscopy, circuit quantum electrodynamics, quantum sensing, and quantum measurements in general.