Observations of Quantum Dynamics by Solution-State NMR Spectroscopy
M. A. Pravia, E. Fortunato, Y. Weinstein, M. D. Price, G. Teklemariam, R. J. Nelson, Y. Sharf, S. Somaroo, C. H. Tseng, T. F. Havel, D. G. Cory
Abstract
NMR is emerging as a valuable testbed for the investigation of foundational questions in quantum mechanics. The present paper outlines the preparation of a class of mixed states, called pseudo-pure states, that emulate pure quantum states in the highly mixed environment typically used to describe solution-state NMR samples. It also describes the NMR observation of spinor behavior in spin 1/2 nuclei, the simulation of wave function collapse using a magnetic field gradient, the creation of entangled (or Bell) pseudo-pure states, and a brief discussion of quantum computing logic gates, including the Quantum Fourier Transform. These experiments show that liquid-state NMR can be used to demonstrate quantum dynamics at a level suitable for laboratory exercises.