Time-Delocalized Local Measurements in an Indefinite Causal Order

Abstract

Processes with indefinite causal order (ICO), such as the quantum switch, are an emerging resource for quantum tasks and a fundamental test bed for studies of temporal correlations in quantum mechanics. A limitation of past photonic implementations of the quantum switch, however, is their inability to perform measurements inside the switch without either destroying the superposition of causal orders or delaying readout until the after the quantum switch. Measurements where the results are read out locally are needed for several applications of ICO, but also for a loophole-free verification of ICO. Here, we overcome past limitations by introducing a $\mathit{local}$ measurement scheme and coupling the photon in the switch to a $\mathit{time-delocalized}$ ancilla system. We experimentally realize this protocol using a photonic quantum switch with post-selected linear optical logic gates. Our method ensures that the measurement apparatus interacts with the system at two distinct times and yet yields a single outcome. We use a quantum eraser measurement to preserve the ICO, which we certify by measuring a causal witness and finding a negative value of $\mathcal{C}_W \approx -0.305 (1)$. Furthermore, by explicitly realizing a time-delocalized ancilla system, our protocol not only enables a new class of quantum switch protocols requiring local readout, but also provides a general method for path-coherence-preserving measurements with broad applications beyond ICO.