Restrictions on the semiclassical approximation

Lajos Diósi

Semiclassical (stochastic) wave equations are proposed for the coupled dynamics of atomic quantum states and semiclassical radiation field. All relevant predictions of standard unitary quantum dynamics are exactly reproducible in the framework of the stochastic wave equation model. We stress in such a way that the concept of stochastic wave equations is not to be restricted to the widely used Markovian approximation.

Alexander J. Silenko

A general method of the Foldy-Wouthyusen (FW) transformation for relativistic particles of arbitrary spin in strong external fields has been developed. The use of the found transformation operator is not restricted by any definite commutation relations between even and odd operators. The final FW Hamiltonian can be expanded into a power series in the Planck constant which characterizes the order of magnitude of quantum corrections. Exact expressions for low-order terms in the Planck constant can be derived. Finding these expressions allows one to perform a simple transition to the semiclassical approximation which defines a classical limit of the relativistic quantum mechanics. As an example, interactions of spin-1/2 and scalar particles with a strong electromagnetic field have been considered. Quantum and semiclassical equations of motion of particles and their spins have been deduced. Full agreement between quantum and classical theories has been established.

Joachim Ankerhold

Tak‐San Ho, Shih‐I Chu

For pt.I see Chem. Phys. Lett. vol.96, p.464 (1983). The non-linear multiphoton excitation dynamics of two-level systems under the influence of two strong linearly polarised monochromatic fields is studied exactly for the first time along the semiclassical many-mode Floquet theory. The present approach relaxes the restrictions of the conventional generalised rotating-wave approximation (GRWA) and allows correct treatment of various non-linear features such as power broadening, resonance shift, asymmetry in absorption lineshape, etc. By extending the nearly degenerate perturbative method of Salwen (1955), approximate analytical expressions for transition probabilities are obtained for multiphoton resonance processes for which (n+1) photons of one field are absorbed, whereas n photons of the other field are emitted, where n is an arbitrary integer. Detailed comparison of the analytical, the GRWA and the numerically exact results is given. Also presented is a case study of the time evolution of spin 1/2 systems in multi-quantum NMR transitions driven by pulsed bichromatic radiofrequency fields.

Zhuangqi Cao, Cheng Yin