The effect of two-frequency driving of a symmetric double well is investigated classically and quantum mechanically. By computing Husimi distributions it is shown that control and suppression of tunneling may be achieved by driving the system with two fields whose frequencies are in a 1:2 ratio. In particular, a second field of finite duration can be used to selectively trap the wave packet in either well.

Physical review. E, Statistical physics, plasmas, fluids, and related interdisciplinary topicsApr 1, 199334 citations

Quantum tunneling and chaos in a driven anharmonic oscillator

W. A. Lin, L. E. Ballentine

The Husimi distribution is computed for a particle in a double-well potential and an oscillatory driving force. The extended phase space of the classical system contains two disjoint stable tubes of regular orbits, embedded in a chaotic sea. For the quantum system we find coherent oscillatory tunneling between these stability tubes, at a rate many orders of magnitude greater than the rate of ordinary undriven tunneling.

Physical Review LettersDec 10, 1990293 citations