Optimization of a neutron-spin test of the quantum Zeno effect

Abstract

A neutron-spin experimental test of the quantum Zeno effect (QZE) is discussed from a practical point of view, where the nonideal efficiency of the magnetic mirrors, used for filtering the spin state, is taken into account. In the idealized case, the number N of (ideal) mirrors can be indefinitely increased, yielding an increasingly better QZE. In contrast, in a practical situation with imperfect mirrors, there is an optimal number of mirrors, ${N}_{\mathrm{opt}},$ at which the QZE becomes maximum: more frequent measurements would deteriorate the performance. However, a quantitative analysis shows that a good experimental test of the QZE is still feasible. These conclusions are of general validity: in a realistic experiment, the presence of losses and imperfections leads to an optimal frequency ${N}_{\mathrm{opt}},$ which is in general finite. One should not increase N beyond ${N}_{\mathrm{opt}}.$ A convenient formula for ${N}_{\mathrm{opt}},$ valid in a broad framework, is derived as a function of the parameters characterizing the experimental setup.