Dynamical model selection and estimation near the quantum-classical boundary
By Jason Ralph
Joint work with Marko Toros, Simon Maskell, Kurt Jacobs and Hendrik Ulbricht. We discuss a general method of model selection from experimentally recorded time-trace data. This method can be used to distinguish between quantum and classical dynamical models. It can be used in post-selection as well as for real-time analysis, and offers an alternative to statistical tests based on state-reconstruction methods. We examine the conditions that optimize quantum hypothesis testing, maximizing one’s ability to discriminate between classical and quantum models. We set upper limits on the temperature and lower limits on the measurement efficiencies required to explore these differences, using a novel experiment in levitated optomechanical systems as an example, and demonstrate simultaneous Hamiltonian parameter estimation.