Decoherence in Bose-Einstein condensates: Towards bigger and better Schroedinger cats

Journal Article · Sat Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 2000 · Physical Review. A

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.62.013607· OSTI ID:20216878

Dalvit, Diego A. R. ^[1]; Dziarmaga, Jacek ^[1]; Zurek, Wojciech H ^[1]

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1. Los Alamos National Laboratory, T-6, Theoretical Division, MS-B288, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545 (United States)

We consider a quantum superposition of Bose-Einstein condensates (BEC's) in two immiscible internal states. A decoherence rate for the resulting Schroedinger cat is calculated and shown to be a significant threat to this macroscopic quantum superposition of BEC's. An experimental scenario is outlined where the decoherence rate due to the thermal cloud is dramatically reduced thanks to trap engineering and ''symmetrization'' of the environment, which allow the Schroedinger cat to be an approximate pointer state. (c) 2000 The American Physical Society.

• OSTI ID: 20216878
• Journal Information: Physical Review. A, Vol. 62, Issue 1; Other Information: PBD: Jul 2000; ISSN 1050-2947
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
QUANTUM MECHANICS
BOSE-EINSTEIN CONDENSATION
SCHROEDINGER EQUATION
SCHROEDINGER PICTURE
THEORETICAL DATA