Abstract The use of hydrogen and helium as a fuel requires well-developed technologies for the separation of gas mixtures, in particular, separation of isotopes of an element. The presence of quantum effects makes such processes possible, and the proposed system of two potential barriers enhances the differences in the passage of isotopes through two layers of matter providing high separation efficiency. The probability of atoms passing through composite barriers is derived from the solving of stationary Schrodinger equation.Abstract The use of hydrogen and helium as a fuel requires well-developed technologies for the separation of gas mixtures, in particular, separation of isotopes of an element. The presence of quantum effects makes such processes possible, and the proposed system of two potential barriers enhances the differences in the passage of isotopes through two layers of matter providing high separation efficiency. The probability of atoms passing through composite barriers is derived from the solving of stationary Schrodinger equation.

Journal of Physics Conference SeriesMay 1, 20202 citations

Coherent mesoscopic quantum tunneling in boson-fermion mixtures

Dmitry Mozyrsky, Ivar Martin, Eddy Timmermans

We show that cold atom systems of simultaneously trapped Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) and quantum degenerate fermionic atoms provide promising laboratories for the study of macroscopic quantum tunneling. Our theoretical studies reveal that the spatial extent of a small trapped BEC immersed in a Fermi sea can tunnel and coherently oscillate between the values of the separated and mixed configurations (the phases of the phase separation transition of BEC-fermion systems). We evaluate the period, amplitude, and dissipation rate for $^{23}\mathrm{Na}$ and $^{40}\mathrm{K}$ atoms, and we discuss the experimental prospects for observing this phenomenon.We show that cold atom systems of simultaneously trapped Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) and quantum degenerate fermionic atoms provide promising laboratories for the study of macroscopic quantum tunneling. Our theoretical studies reveal that the spatial extent of a small trapped BEC immersed in a Fermi sea can tunnel and coherently oscillate between the values of the separated and mixed configurations (the phases of the phase separation transition of BEC-fermion systems). We evaluate the period, amplitude, and dissipation rate for $^{23}\mathrm{Na}$ and $^{40}\mathrm{K}$ atoms, and we discuss the experimental prospects for observing this phenomenon.

arXiv:0704.0650Physical Review ANov 1, 20077 citations

Quantum Tunneling in Complex Systems

Joachim Ankerhold

Springer tracts in modern physicsJan 1, 200781 citations

Heavy-atom Quantum Tunneling

Sarina R. Chaiken, Elianna Frank, Keaton L. Mertz +1 more

Jan 1, 20180 citations

Condensate Mixtures and Tunneling

Eddy Timmermans

The experimental study of condensate mixtures is a particularly exciting application of the recently developed atomic-trap Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) technology: such multiple condensates represent the first laboratory systems of distinguishable boson superfluid mixtures. In addition, as the authors point out in this paper, the possibility of inter-condensate tunneling greatly enhances the richness of the condensate mixture physics. Not only does tunneling give rise to the oscillating particle currents between condensates of different chemical potentials, such as those studied extensively in the condensed matter Josephson junction experiments, it also affects the near-equilibrium dynamics and stability of the condensate mixtures. In particular, the stabilizing influence of tunneling with respect to spatial separation (phase separation) could be of considerable practical importance to the atomic trap systems. Furthermore, the creation of mixtures of atomic and molecular condensates could introduce a novel type of tunneling process, involving the conversion of a pair of atomic condensate bosons into a single molecular condensate boson. The static description of condensate mixtures with such type of pair tunneling suggests the possibility of observing dilute condensates with the liquid-like property of a self-determined density.The experimental study of condensate mixtures is a particularly exciting application of the recently developed atomic-trap Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) technology: such multiple condensates represent the first laboratory systems of distinguishable boson superfluid mixtures. In addition, as the authors point out in this paper, the possibility of inter-condensate tunneling greatly enhances the richness of the condensate mixture physics. Not only does tunneling give rise to the oscillating particle currents between condensates of different chemical potentials, such as those studied extensively in the condensed matter Josephson junction experiments, it also affects the near-equilibrium dynamics and stability of the condensate mixtures. In particular, the stabilizing influence of tunneling with respect to spatial separation (phase separation) could be of considerable practical importance to the atomic trap systems. Furthermore, the creation of mixtures of atomic and molecular condensates could introduce a novel type of tunneling process, involving the conversion of a pair of atomic condensate bosons into a single molecular condensate boson. The static description of condensate mixtures with such type of pair tunneling suggests the possibility of observing dilute condensates with the liquid-like property of a self-determined density.

Sep 14, 19980 citations

^{23}\mathrm{Na}

and

^{40}\mathrm{K}

atoms, and we discuss the experimental prospects for observing this phenomenon.