Classical and Quantum Dynamics of the Dicke Model
Aakash Sarkar, Supervisor Dr. Subhasis Sinha
In this thesis, we explore the Dicke model, well-known for its explanation of the superradiant
phase transition and signatures of Classical and Quantum Chaos. We
then propose a variational approach to determine the semi-classical (SC) equations
of motion, using coherent states. The SC dynamics exhibits signs of classical
chaos both with increasing coupling and as the energy of the system is gradually
increased, eventually leading to it completely engulfing the 2 dimensional phase
space of the pseudospin, which we examine through Poincare sections. We then
use numerical diagonalization to study the Quantum Dicke model - it is observed
that at and after exactly the critical value of the coupling, the system shows
a net macroscopic photon expectation value, and the pseudospin component in
the z direction starts to steadily decline - implying a net fraction of the atoms
are shifting to the excited state. We then study the dynamics of the Quantum
Dicke Hamiltonian using coherent states and compare the expectation values of
the dimensional with the classical trajectories from the semi-classical dynamics
for stable and chaotic orbits. We then introduce a linear quench which drives
the Dicke model across the Superradiant phase transition by changing the coupling
strength. The quenched dynamics is simulated using both semi-classical and
quantum dynamics - it is seen that dynamically varying quantities are periodically
oscillating around their instantaneous steady-state coupling values.
•May 1, 2016•0 citations