Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Journal of Physics A Mathematical and General

Decoherence induced by scattering: a three-dimensional model

Claudio Cacciapuoti, Raffaele Carlone, Rodolfo Figari

Published May 18, 2005• 15 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The dynamical process of generation of entanglement between subsystems of an evolving quantum system is analysed in this paper. We consider one of the simplest possible continuous systems in which such a process can be rigorously studied: a quantum ‘heavy’ particle (the system) interacting via zero range forces with a lighter particle (the environment). In a three-dimensional model we study the asymptotic dynamics when the ratio between the masses of the light and the heavy particle is very small. The effect of decoherence on the heavy particle induced by the interaction is explicitly computed.

DOI
10.1088/0305-4470/38/22/016

Related papers

THE JOOS-ZEH FORMULA AND THE ENVIRONMENT–INDUCED DECOHERENCE

Rodolfo Figari, Raffaele Carlone, Alessandro Teta

We recall the classical picture about the decoherence effects induced on a quantum sub-system by the interaction with a macroscopic environment. We discuss the need of a rigorous treatment, in mathematically reasonable models, of the dynamical process bringing the system in an entangled state with the environment. We consider a simple system consisting of two particles interacting via a two-body potential and we discuss a rigorous derivation of the asymptotic wave function of the system in the limit of small mass ratio. We apply the result to the explicit computation of the decoherence effect induced on the heavy particle, in concrete examples of quantum evolution.

International Journal of Modern Physics B•Feb 20, 2004•3 citations

Decoherence in a two-particle model

Detlef Dürr, Rodolfo Figari, Alessandro Teta

We consider a simple one-dimensional quantum system consisting of a heavy and a light particle interacting via a point interaction. The initial state is chosen to be a product state, with the heavy particle described by a coherent superposition of two spatially separated wave packets with opposite momentum and the light particle localized in the region between the two wave packets. We characterize the asymptotic dynamics of the system in the limit of small mass ratio, with an explicit control of the error. We derive the corresponding reduced density matrix for the heavy particle and explicitly compute the (partial) decoherence effect for the heavy particle induced by the presence of the light one for a particular set up of the parameters.

arXiv:quant-ph/0210199•Journal of Mathematical Physics•Mar 17, 2004•24 citations

On the Asymptotic Dynamics of a Quantum System Composed by Heavy and Light Particles

Riccardo Adami, Rodolfo Figari, Domenico Finco +1 more

Abstract. We consider a non relativistic quantum system consisting of K heavy and N light particles in dimension three, where each heavy particle interacts with the light ones via a two-body potential αV. No interaction is assumed among particles of the same kind. Choosing an initial state in a product form and assuming α sufficiently small we characterize the asymptotic dynamics of the system in the limit of small mass ratio, with an explicit control of the error. In the case K = 1 the result is extended to arbitrary α. The proof relies on a perturbative analysis and exploits a generalized version of the standard dispersive estimates for the Schrödinger group. Exploiting the asymptotic formula, it is also outlined an application to the problem of the decoherence effect produced on a heavy particle by the interaction with the light ones. 1.

•Jan 1, 2006•16 citations

On a Rigorous Proof of the Joos–Zeh Formula for Decoherence in a Two-body Problem

Alessandro Teta

We consider a simple one-dimensional system consisting of two particles interacting with a δ-potential and we discuss a rigorous derivation of the asymptotic wave function of the system in the limit of small mass ratio. We apply the result for the explicit computation of the decoherence effect induced on the heavy particle in a concrete example of quantum evolution.

arXiv:quant-ph/0307222•Birkhäuser Boston eBooks•Jan 1, 2004•3 citations

Decoherence for a heavy particle interacting with a light particle: New analysis and numerics

Riccardo Adami, Maxime Hauray, Claudia Negulescu

We study the dynamics of a quantum heavy particle undergoing a repulsive interaction with a light one. The main motivation is the detailed description of the loss of coherence induced on a quantum system (in our model, the heavy particle) by the interaction with the environment (the light particle). The content of the paper is analytical and numerical. Concerning the analytical contribution, we show that an approximate description of the dynamics of the heavy particle can be carried out in two steps: first comes the interaction, then the free evolution. In particular, all effects of the interaction can be embodied in the action of a collision operator that acts on the initial state of the heavy particle. With respect to previous analytical results on the same topics, we turn our focus from the M{\o}ller wave operator to the full scattering operator, whose analysis proves to be simpler. Concerning the numerical contribution, we exploit the previous analysis to construct an efficient numerical scheme that turns the original, multiscale, two-body problem in two one-body problems which can be solved separately. This leads to a considerable gain in simulation time. We present and interpret some simulations carried out on specific one-dimensional systems by using the new scheme. Finally, we propose a new description of the mechanism of decoherence induced by scattering: decoherence is produced by an interference-free bump which arises from the initial state of the heavy particle immediately after the collision. We support such a picture by numerical evidence as well as by an approximation theorem.

arXiv:1310.7199•Communications in Mathematical Sciences•Jan 1, 2016•7 citations

On the asymptotic behaviour of a quantum two-body system in the small mass ratio limit

Riccardo Adami, Rodolfo Figari, Domenico Finco +1 more

We consider a quantum system of two particles in dimension three interacting via a smooth potential. We characterize the asymptotic dynamics in the limit of small mass ratio for an initial state given in product form, with an explicit control of the error. An application to the decoherence effect produced on the heavy particle is also discussed.

Journal of Physics A Mathematical and General•Jul 15, 2004•18 citations
The dynamical process of generation of entanglement between subsystems of an evolving quantum system is analysed in this paper. We consider one of the simplest possible continuous systems in which such a process can be rigorously studied: a quantum ‘heavy’ particle (the system) interacting via zero range forces with a lighter particle (the environment). In a three-dimensional model we study the asymptotic dynamics when the ratio between the masses of the light and the heavy particle is very small. The effect of decoherence on the heavy particle induced by the interaction is explicitly computed.
We recall the classical picture about the decoherence effects induced on a quantum sub-system by the interaction with a macroscopic environment. We discuss the need of a rigorous treatment, in mathematically reasonable models, of the dynamical process bringing the system in an entangled state with the environment. We consider a simple system consisting of two particles interacting via a two-body potential and we discuss a rigorous derivation of the asymptotic wave function of the system in the limit of small mass ratio. We apply the result to the explicit computation of the decoherence effect induced on the heavy particle, in concrete examples of quantum evolution.
We consider a simple one-dimensional quantum system consisting of a heavy and a light particle interacting via a point interaction. The initial state is chosen to be a product state, with the heavy particle described by a coherent superposition of two spatially separated wave packets with opposite momentum and the light particle localized in the region between the two wave packets. We characterize the asymptotic dynamics of the system in the limit of small mass ratio, with an explicit control of the error. We derive the corresponding reduced density matrix for the heavy particle and explicitly compute the (partial) decoherence effect for the heavy particle induced by the presence of the light one for a particular set up of the parameters.
Abstract. We consider a non relativistic quantum system consisting of K heavy and N light particles in dimension three, where each heavy particle interacts with the light ones via a two-body potential αV. No interaction is assumed among particles of the same kind. Choosing an initial state in a product form and assuming α sufficiently small we characterize the asymptotic dynamics of the system in the limit of small mass ratio, with an explicit control of the error. In the case K = 1 the result is extended to arbitrary α. The proof relies on a perturbative analysis and exploits a generalized version of the standard dispersive estimates for the Schrödinger group. Exploiting the asymptotic formula, it is also outlined an application to the problem of the decoherence effect produced on a heavy particle by the interaction with the light ones. 1.
We study the dynamics of a quantum heavy particle undergoing a repulsive interaction with a light one. The main motivation is the detailed description of the loss of coherence induced on a quantum system (in our model, the heavy particle) by the interaction with the environment (the light particle). The content of the paper is analytical and numerical. Concerning the analytical contribution, we show that an approximate description of the dynamics of the heavy particle can be carried out in two steps: first comes the interaction, then the free evolution. In particular, all effects of the interaction can be embodied in the action of a collision operator that acts on the initial state of the heavy particle. With respect to previous analytical results on the same topics, we turn our focus from the M{\o}ller wave operator to the full scattering operator, whose analysis proves to be simpler. Concerning the numerical contribution, we exploit the previous analysis to construct an efficient numerical scheme that turns the original, multiscale, two-body problem in two one-body problems which can be solved separately. This leads to a considerable gain in simulation time. We present and interpret some simulations carried out on specific one-dimensional systems by using the new scheme. Finally, we propose a new description of the mechanism of decoherence induced by scattering: decoherence is produced by an interference-free bump which arises from the initial state of the heavy particle immediately after the collision. We support such a picture by numerical evidence as well as by an approximation theorem.