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Mesoscopic superposition and sub-Planck-scale structure in molecular wave packets

Journal Article · · Physical Review. A
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVA.73.0· OSTI ID:20786740
; ;  [1];  [2]
  1. Physical Research Laboratory, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad-380 009 (India)
  2. University of Massachusetts at Boston, Boston, Massachusetts 02125-3393 (United States)
We demonstrate the possibility of realizing sub-Planck-scale structures in the mesoscopic superposition of molecular wave packets involving vibrational levels. The time evolution of the wave packet, taken here as the SU(2) coherent state of the Morse potential describing hydrogen iodide molecules, produces macroscopic-quantum-superposition-like states, responsible for the above phenomenon. We investigate the phase-space dynamics of the coherent state through the Wigner function approach and identify the interference phenomena behind the sub-Planck-scale structures. The optimal parameter ranges are specified for observing these features.
OSTI ID:
20786740
Journal Information:
Physical Review. A, Journal Name: Physical Review. A Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 73; ISSN 1050-2947; ISSN PLRAAN
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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