Published July 1, 2015 | Version v1
Journal article

Zeno inhibition of polarization rotation in an optically active medium

  • 1. Departamento de Óptica, Facultad de Ciencias Fsicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, E-28040 Madrid (Spain)
  • 2. Grupo de Sistemas Complejos, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Rios Rosas 21, E-28003 Madrid (Spain)

Description

We describe an experiment in which the rotation of the polarization of light propagating in an optically active water solution of D-fructose tends to be inhibited by frequent monitoring whether the polarization remains unchanged. This is an example of the Zeno effect that has remarkable pedagogical interest because of its conceptual simplicity, easy implementation, low cost, and because the same the Zeno effect holds at classical and quantum levels. An added value is the demonstration of the Zeno effect beyond typical idealized assumptions in a practical setting with real polarizers. (paper)

Availability note (English)

Available from http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0143-0807/36/4/045001

Additional details

Publishing Information

Journal Title
European Journal of Physics
Journal Volume
36
Journal Issue
4
Journal Page Range
[7 p.]
ISSN
0143-0807
CODEN
EJPHD4

INIS

Country of Publication
United Kingdom
Country of Input or Organization
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
INIS RN
47081272
Subject category
S71: CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS;
Descriptors DEI
FRUCTOSE; INHIBITION; POLARIZATION; ROTATION; WAVE PROPAGATION
Descriptors DEC
CARBOHYDRATES; HEXOSES; KETONES; MONOSACCHARIDES; MOTION; ORGANIC COMPOUNDS; SACCHARIDES