Breakdown of correlated tunneling
ScienceDaily (25 October 2010) – quantum systems often different behavior from what we would intuitively expect and our daily experience. An example is provided by the so-called Landau-Zener problem. It describes such as the tunneling of a quantum particle between two possible fountains with an initial difference in potential energy that gradually reversed in time. The Russian physicist Lev Landau and the American physicist Clarence Zener 1932 addressed this problem in a broader context. They found that the quantum particles from a fountain would be transported to the other, provided that the reversal in potential energy slowly enough.
This applies regardless of whether the particles in the well started the higher or lower in potential energy. In this respect it differs much of expectation for a classic liquid which finally will find well bottom always his way into the energy.MPQ University scientists to Prof. Immanuel Bloch in cooperation with theorists from the Weizmann Institute of science in Rehovot, Israel have a Landau-Zener scenario in a system of one-dimensional quantum gases in two coupled potential tubes experimentally untersucht.Sie found, ultimately changing the collective tunnels of many particles drastically from the single particles takes case to a breakdown of the transfer on the opposite side.
Scientists cooling in your experiments a little cloud “Bose” rubidium atoms, only a few Nano Kelvin on the absolute zero-the about minus 273 degrees Celsius. At such low temperatures, collect all the atoms in a single quantum state, form a new State of matter known as the Bose-Einstein condensate.This quantum ultracold gas geladen.Diese is then in a so-called two-dimensional “optical gratings.” optical grid is created by the interference of two orthogonal pairs of counter-propagating laser beams which results in two three-dimensional patterns of bright “lines light.” The interaction between light and atoms forces in a matching regular pattern of thousands of elongated quantum gases to organize each consisting of up to 110 atoms.
Now, add the scientists another pair of laser beams an optical grid with only half of the time together form one of the initial activities counter propagating.This leads to a breakdown of each possible tubes trapping the orthogonal rectangular quantum gases in zwei.Die full control over the relative phase between this additional optical grid and the first one the other higher in potential energy allows scientists of only one potential tubes each pair by override during the Division populate. in addition, are able to change the difference between the tubes each pair by checking the relative phase into potential energy in real time. Therefore quickly reverse an any initial difference in potential energy set and then gradually the potential energy difference as in the original Landau-Zener problem.
Physicists are interested in how the one-dimensional geometry and the n-body nature of gas, quantum would alter the results for a single quantum particles.
Showed some significant deviations from the single particle physics low. for slow enough changes of the potential power in the conceptually simple case where all the atoms in the potential also begin in energy or “sweeps” – landed all particles in opposite tubes as it would be the case for a single quantum particle. The speed of the train could be faster, the one-dimensional quantum gases. Here, the repulsive interaction forces the atoms to line up for the transmission and to move the opposite potential tube a-by-one instead of all at once. Because each of these single particle transfers can be done faster in the n-body system, the rate change the potential energy can be higher. The total time required for a successful sweep but is same as in the case of a single particle about, to move because all particles and the advantage of faster transfer of a single particle is lost.
The difference is even more apparent when start all particles in the potential tube initially in potential energy is higher. Here, the scientists found that not all particles no matter, how slow the scanning is performed, would reach the opposite pipe. Actually slower and slower Landau-Zener sweeps transfer efficiency was shrinking. This result is similar to strong expectation for a classic liquid, always in the lower tube-here that would flow the atoms from started.The classic case is the potential energy into kinetic energy. Finally passed this kinetic energy to the environment as the liquid comes to a halt.
Such an exchange of energy with the environment is not possible within a closed quantum system: the excess energy can not leave, the system and the relaxation of quantum gas into the lower energy pipe is blocked.A one-dimensional system however has low energy suggestions often referred to as “Phonon” due to the similarity with the lattice vibrations in solids.These Phonon suggestions provide a “home environment” can store the excess energy in any part.As a result, the quantum gas towards the potential tube is relax lower in energy while Aufheizen.Dieser relaxation mechanism is strongest for small differences in the potential energy of the two tubes. the slower the Landau-Zener sweep is performed, the longer it will be located in this region and relaxation are more effective.
Described here provides an experimental study of Landau-Zener problem a one-dimensional n body Setup generalized for the first time.The dynamics of such a system has a number of open questions.Especially understanding remains whether and how low-dimensional quantum gases far from equilibrium relax and finally thermalize in closed quantum systems an unsolved problem.In addition, keep such generalized Landau-Zener experiments prospect detection of n-body quantum phase transitions where the excitation spectra of quantum gases drastically as described here be scanned.the measurements allow a deep analysis of non-equilibrium phenomena in coupled one-dimensional systems and opens the way for the detailed study of your intrinsic sound wave like suggestions.
Story source:
The above story is made of materials the of Max Planck Institute for quantum optics reprinted provided (with editorial adjustments by ScienceDaily staff).
Journal reference:
Chen Yu AO, Sebastian D. Huber, Stefan Trotsky, Immanuel Bloch, Ehud Altman.N body Landau-Zener dynamics in coupled one-dimensional Bose liquids.Natur physics, 2010; DOI: NPHYS1801 ONLINE output
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