Violation of a Leggett-Garg inequality with ideal non-invasive   measurements
  The quantum superposition principle states that an entity can exist in two different states simultaneously, counter to our 'classical' intuition. Is it possible to understand a given system's behaviour without such a concept? A test designed by Leggett and Garg can rule out this possibility. The test, originally intended for macroscopic objects, has been implemented in various systems. However to-date no experiment has employed the 'ideal negative result' measurements that are required for the most robust test. Here we introduce a general protocol for these special measurements using an ancillary system which acts as a local measuring device but which need not be perfectly prepared. We report an experimental realisation using spin-bearing phosphorus impurities in silicon. The results demonstrate the necessity of a non-classical picture for this class of microscopic system. Our procedure can be applied to systems of any size, whether individually controlled or in a spatial ensemble. 
George C. Knee, Stephanie Simmons, Erik M. Gauger, John J. L. Morton,   Helge Riemann, Nikolai V. Abrosimov, Peter Becker, H...
quant-ph