Quantum tomography of a third-order exceptional point in a dissipative trapped ion

Y.-Y. Chen, K. Li, L. Zhang, Y.-K. Wu, J.-Y. Ma, H.-X. Yang, C. Zhang, B.-X. Qi, Z.-C. Zhou, P.-Y. Hou (), Y. Xu () and L.-M. Duan ()
Additional contact information
Y.-Y. Chen: Tsinghua University
K. Li: Tsinghua University
L. Zhang: Tsinghua University
Y.-K. Wu: Tsinghua University
J.-Y. Ma: HYQ Co.
H.-X. Yang: HYQ Co.
C. Zhang: HYQ Co.
B.-X. Qi: Tsinghua University
Z.-C. Zhou: Tsinghua University
P.-Y. Hou: Tsinghua University
Y. Xu: Tsinghua University
L.-M. Duan: Tsinghua University

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Hermiticity in quantum mechanics ensures the reality of energies, while parity-time symmetry offers an alternative route. Interestingly, in a three-level system, parity-time symmetry-breaking can lead to third-order exceptional points with distinctive topological properties. Experimentally implementing this in open quantum systems requires two well-controlled loss channels, resulting in dynamics that challenges a pure non-Hermitian description. Here we address the challenge by employing two approaches to eliminate the effects of quantum jump terms, ensuring pure non-Hermitian dynamics in a dissipative trapped ion. Based on this, we experimentally observe a parity-time symmetry-breaking-induced third-order exceptional point through non-Hermitian absorption spectroscopy. Quantum state tomography further demonstrates the coalescence of three eigenstates into a single eigenstate at the exceptional point. Finally, we identify an intrinsic third-order Liouvillian exceptional point via quench dynamics. Our experiments can be extended to observe other non-Hermitian phenomena involving multiple dissipative levels and potentially find applications in quantum information technology.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-62573-5

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