Weak stochastic ratchets and dynamic localization in measurement-induced quantum trajectories

Abstract: We consider a qubit governed by a sequence of weak measurements, with the measurement strength modified in a time- and state-dependent manner. The resulting trajectory of the qubit in the phase space can be weakly controlled without any direct action on the qubit (control-free control), even only one fixed observable is measured. Here we show a possibility of a weak form of a stochastic ratchet, allowing to create an additional "force" without changing the corresponding effective average potential. Furthermore, if the weak measurement strength is significantly reduced in a way conditioned to some particular state, a dynamical localization near this state takes place. If the measurement strength is reduced to zero, a singularity appears, which behaves like an artificial basis state.