Evolution of an Atom Impeded by Measurement: The Quantum Zeno Effect

Chr. Wunderlich, Chr. Balzer, P. E. Toschek

Published 2001-08-08Version 1

A quantum system being observed evolves more slowly. This `'quantum Zeno effect'' is reviewed with respect to a previous attempt of demonstration, and to subsequent criticism of the significance of the findings. A recent experiment on an {\it individual} cold trapped ion has been capable of revealing the micro-state of this quantum system, such that the effect of measurement is indeed discriminated from dephasing of the quantum state by either the meter or the environment.