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arXiv:2206.01354 · Journal of Mathematical Physics

Quantum particles in a suddenly accelerating potential

Paolo Amore, Francisco Marcelo Fernández, José Luis Valdéz

Published Oct 1, 2023• 0 citations

Abstract

We study the behavior of a quantum particle trapped in a confining potential in one dimension under multiple sudden changes of velocity and/or acceleration. We develop the appropriate formalism to deal with such situation and we use it to calculate the probability of transition for simple problems such as the particle in an infinite box and the simple harmonic oscillator. For the infinite box of length L under two and three sudden changes of velocity, where the initial and final velocity vanish, we find that the system undergoes quantum revivals for Δt=τ0≡4mL2πℏ, regardless of other parameters (Δt is the time elapsed between the first and last change of velocity). For the simple harmonic oscillator we find that the states obtained by suddenly changing (one change) the velocity and/or the acceleration of the potential, for a particle initially in an eigenstate of the static potential, are coherent states. For multiple changes of acceleration or velocity we find that the quantum expectation value of the Hamiltonian is remarkably close (possibly identical) to the corresponding classical expectation values. Finally, the probability of transition for a particle in an accelerating harmonic oscillator (no sudden changes) calculated with our formalism agrees with the formula derived long time ago by Ludwig [Z. Phys. 130(4), 468–475 (1951)], and recently modified by Dodonov [J. Russ. Laser Res. 42(3), 243–249 (2021)], but with a different expression for the dimensionless parameter γ. Our probability agrees with the one of Dodonov for γ ≪ 1 but is not periodic in time (it decays monotonously), contrary to the result derived by Dodonov.

DOI: 10.1063/5.0100605

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We study the behavior of a quantum particle trapped in a confining potential in one dimension under multiple sudden changes of velocity and/or acceleration. We develop the appropriate formalism to deal with such situation and we use it to calculate the probability of transition for simple problems such as the particle in an infinite box and the simple harmonic oscillator. For the infinite box of length L under two and three sudden changes of velocity, where the initial and final velocity vanish, we find that the system undergoes quantum revivals for Δt=τ0≡4mL2πℏ, regardless of other parameters (Δt is the time elapsed between the first and last change of velocity). For the simple harmonic oscillator we find that the states obtained by suddenly changing (one change) the velocity and/or the acceleration of the potential, for a particle initially in an eigenstate of the static potential, are coherent states. For multiple changes of acceleration or velocity we find that the quantum expectation value of the Hamiltonian is remarkably close (possibly identical) to the corresponding classical expectation values. Finally, the probability of transition for a particle in an accelerating harmonic oscillator (no sudden changes) calculated with our formalism agrees with the formula derived long time ago by Ludwig [Z. Phys. 130(4), 468–475 (1951)], and recently modified by Dodonov [J. Russ. Laser Res. 42(3), 243–249 (2021)], but with a different expression for the dimensionless parameter γ. Our probability agrees with the one of Dodonov for γ ≪ 1 but is not periodic in time (it decays monotonously), contrary to the result derived by Dodonov.

Abstract We study the behavior of a quantum particle, trapped in localized potential, when the trapping potential starts suddenly to move with constant velocity. In one dimension we have reproduced the results obtained by (Granot and Marchewka 2009 EPL 86 20007), for an attractive delta function, using an approach based on a spectral decomposition, rather than on the propagator. We have also considered the cases of Pöschl-Teller and simple harmonic oscillator potentials (in one dimension) and to the hydrogen atom (in three dimensions). In this last case we have calculated explicitly the leading contribution to the ionization probability for the hydrogen atom due to a sudden movement.

We study the behavior of a quantum particle, trapped in localized potential, when the trapping potential starts suddenly to move with constant velocity. In one dimension we have reproduced the results obtained by Granot and Marchewka, Ref. \cite{Granot09}, for an attractive delta function, using an approach based on a spectral decomposition, rather than on the propagator. We have also considered the cases of Pöschl-Teller and simple harmonic oscillator potentials (in one dimension) and to the hydrogen atom (in three dimensions). In this last case we have calculated explicitly the leading contribution to the ionization probability for the hydrogen atom due to a sudden movement.

The temporal evolution of the state vector relative to a harmonic oscillator with time-dependent frequency is examined. The Schrödinger equation is solved by choosing the instantaneous eigenstates of the Hamiltonian as the basis, thus getting an infinite set of coupled linear differential equations. This formulation is particularly suitable for studying the cases in which the Hamiltonian undergoes a very slow or a sudden variation from an initial constant value into a final one. A rigorous proof of adiabatic invariance to all orders in the slowness parameter is given for the transition probabilities. An application to the evolution of an initially coherent state is made.

The time dependence of one-dimensional quantum mechanical probability densities is presented when the potential in which a particle moves is suddenly changed, called a quench. Quantum quenches are mainly addressed, but a comparison with results for the dynamics in the framework of classical statistical mechanics is useful. Analytical results are presented when the initial and final potentials are harmonic oscillators. When the final potential vanishes, the problem reduces to the broadening of wave packets. A simple introduction to the concept of the Wigner function is presented, which allows a better understanding of the dynamics of general wave packets. It is pointed out how special the broadening of Gaussian wave packets is, the only example usually presented in quantum mechanics textbooks.

Harmonic oscillators with multiple abrupt jumps in their frequencies have been investigated by several authors during the last decades. We investigate the dynamics of a quantum harmonic oscillator with initial frequency ω0, which undergoes a sudden jump to a frequency ω1 and, after a certain time interval, suddenly returns to its initial frequency. Using the Lewis−Riesenfeld method of dynamical invariants, we present expressions for the mean energy value, the mean number of excitations, and the transition probabilities, considering the initial state different from the fundamental. We show that the mean energy of the oscillator, after the jumps, is equal or greater than the one before the jumps, even when ω1<ω0. We also show that, for particular values of the time interval between the jumps, the oscillator returns to the same initial state.

Abstract In this work, we give a quantitative answer to the question: how sudden or how adiabatic is a frequency change in a quantum harmonic oscillator (HO)? We do that by studying the time evolution of a HO which is initially in its fundamental state and whose time-dependent frequency is controlled by a parameter (denoted by ϵ ) that can continuously tune from a totally slow process to a completely abrupt one. We extend a solution based on algebraic methods introduced recently in the literature that is very suited for numerical implementations, from the basis that diagonalizes the initial Hamiltonian to the one that diagonalizes the instantaneous Hamiltonian. Our results are in agreement with the adiabatic theorem and the comparison of the descriptions using the different bases together with the proper interpretation of this theorem allows us to clarify a common inaccuracy present in the literature. More importantly, we obtain a simple expression that relates squeezing to the transition rate and the initial and final frequencies, from which we calculate the adiabatic limit of the transition. Analysis of these results reveals a significant difference in squeezing production between enhancing or diminishing the frequency of a HO in a non-sudden way.