Quantum dynamics in fluctuating traps: Master equation, decoherence, and heating

Journal Article · Tue Aug 15 00:00:00 EDT 2006 · Physical Review. A

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVA.74.022102· OSTI ID:20853013

Grotz, Thimo; Heaney, Libby; Strunz, Walter T ^[1]

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1. Theoretische Quantendynamik, Physikalisches Institut, Universitaet Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Strasse 3, 79104 Freiburg (Germany)

We present a remarkably simple derivation of an exact time-local master equation describing the dynamics of quantum states in harmonic traps subject to arbitrary fluctuating forces. The relation between our master equation and known master equations of irreversible harmonic oscillator dynamics are established. Motivated by recent experiments, we focus on decoherence and in particular on the precise decoherence dynamics of a superposition of wave packets. We determine the decaying purity resulting from the time evolution based on our master equation and study its connection to experimentally accessible observables. Finally, we discuss the heating of the system subjected to arbitrary Gaussian noise.

• OSTI ID: 20853013
• Journal Information: Physical Review. A, Vol. 74, Issue 2; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevA.74.022102; (c) 2006 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1050-2947
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
FLUCTUATIONS
HARMONIC OSCILLATORS
HEATING
NOISE
QUANTUM MECHANICS
RADIATION PRESSURE
TRAPS
WAVE PACKETS