Sequential measurement of conjugate variables as an alternative quantum state tomography.

ABSTRACT

It is shown how it is possible to reconstruct the initial state of a one-dimensional system by sequentially measuring two conjugate variables. The procedure relies on the quasicharacteristic function, the Fourier transform of the Wigner quasiprobability. The proper characteristic function obtained by Fourier transforming the experimentally accessible joint probability of observing "position" then "momentum" (or vice versa) can be expressed as a product of the quasicharacteristic function of the two detectors and that unknown of the quantum system. This allows state reconstruction through the sequence (1) data collection, (2) Fourier transform, (3) algebraic operation, and (4) inverse Fourier transform. The strength of the measurement should be intermediate for the procedure to work.