Measurement-induced quantum fluctuations and bistability of a relativistic electron in a Penning trap

Abstract

A detailed quantum-mechanical description of an electron in a Penning trap is developed in which nonlinear relativistic effects as well as stochastic effects arising from radiative damping and the continuous measurement of the electronic motion are taken into account. A master equation is derived that describes the influence of these environmental effects on the bistable dynamics of the electron. Manifestations of measurement-induced fluctuations on the bistable dynamics of individual continuous measurement processes are investigated with the help of the quantum state diffusion model.