Decoherence and the Quantum Zeno Effect

Abstract

The measurements in the optical test of quantum Zeno effect [Itano et al. Phys. Rev. A\underbar{41} (1990) 2295) are analyzed using the environment-induced decoherence theory, where the spontaneous emission lifetime of the relevant level emerges as the 'decoherence time'. The implication of this finite decoherence time in setting a fundamental limit on the realizability of the condition of continuous measurements is investigated in detail.

4 pages, RevTeX two column format, one post-script figure available on request from anu@theory.tifr.res.in. Minor changes done to generate ps file without figure. Minor corrections added