Dirac Equation and Quantum Relativistic Effects in a Single Trapped Ion

Journal Article · Fri Jun 22 00:00:00 EDT 2007 · Physical Review Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVLETT.98.253005· OSTI ID:20953309

Lamata, L; Leon, J ^[1]; Schaetz, T ^[2]; Solano, E ^[3]

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1. Instituto de Matematicas y Fisica Fundamental, CSIC, Serrano 113-bis, 28006 Madrid (Spain)
2. Max-Planck-Institut fuer Quantenoptik, Hans-Kopfermann-Strasse 1, D-85748 Garching (Germany)
3. Physics Department, ASC, and CeNS, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet, Theresienstrasse 37, 80333 Munich (Germany)

We present a method of simulating the Dirac equation in 3+1 dimensions for a free spin-1/2 particle in a single trapped ion. The Dirac bispinor is represented by four ionic internal states, and position and momentum of the Dirac particle are associated with the respective ionic variables. We show also how to simulate the simplified 1+1 case, requiring the manipulation of only two internal levels and one motional degree of freedom. Moreover, we study relevant quantum-relativistic effects, like the Zitterbewegung and Klein's paradox, the transition from massless to massive fermions, and the relativistic and nonrelativistic limits, via the tuning of controllable experimental parameters.

• OSTI ID: 20953309
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Vol. 98, Issue 25; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.98.253005; (c) 2007 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0031-9007
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
DEGREES OF FREEDOM
DIRAC EQUATION
FERMIONS
FOUR-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
IONS
QUANTUM MECHANICS
RELATIVISTIC RANGE
SPIN
TRAPPING
ZITTERBEWEGUNG