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Wigner formalism for a particle on an infinite lattice: dynamics and spin

Hinarejos, M., Bañuls, M., Perez, A.

Published Jan 20, 2015• 2 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

The recently proposed Wigner function for a particle in an infinite lattice (Hinarejos M, Bañuls M C and Pérez A 2012 New J. Phys. 14 103009) is extended here to include an internal degree of freedom as spin. This extension is made by introducing a Wigner matrix. The formalism is developed to account for dynamical processes, with or without decoherence. We show explicit solutions for the case of Hamiltonian evolution under a position-dependent potential, and for evolution governed by a master equation under some simple models of decoherence, for which the Wigner matrix formalism is well suited. Discrete processes are also discussed. Finally, we discuss the possibility of introducing a negativity concept for the Wigner function in the case where the spin degree of freedom is included.

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Wigner formalism for a particle on an infinite lattice: dynamics and spin

M Hinarejos, Mari Carmen Bañuls, A Pérez

The recently proposed Wigner function for a particle in an infinite lattice (Hinarejos M, Bañuls M C and Pérez A 2012 New J. Phys.14 103009) is extended here to include an internal degree of freedom as spin.This extension is made by introducing a Wigner matrix.The formalism is developed to account for dynamical processes, with or without decoherence.We show explicit solutions for the case of Hamiltonian evolution under a position-dependent potential, and for evolution governed by a master equation under some simple models of decoherence, for which the Wigner matrix formalism is well suited.Discrete processes are also discussed.Finally, we discuss the possibility of introducing a negativity concept for the Wigner function in the case where the spin degree of freedom is included.

arXiv:1405.2944•New Journal of Physics•Jan 20, 2015•3 citations

Extended Wigner function formalism for the spatial propagation of particles with internal degrees of freedom

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An extended Wigner function formalism is introduced for describing the quantum dynamics of particles with internal degrees of freedom in the presence of spatially inhomogeneous fields. The approach is used for quantitative simulations of molecular beam experiments involving space-spin entanglement, such as the Stern-Gerlach and the Rabi experiment. The formalism allows a graphical visualization of entanglement and decoherence processes.

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Comment on ‘Wigner function for a particle in an infinite lattice’

João P. S. Bizarro

It is pointed out that in a recent paper (2012 New J. Phys. 14 103009) in which a Wigner function for a particle in an infinite lattice (a system described by an unbounded discrete coordinate and its conjugate angle-like momentum) has been introduced, no reference is made to previous, pioneering work on discrete Wigner distributions (more precisely, on the rotational Wigner function for a system described by a rotation angle and its unbounded discrete-conjugate angular momentum). Not only has the problem addressed in essence been solved for a long time (the discrete coordinate and angle-like conjugate momentum are the perfect dual of the rotation angle and discrete-conjugate angular momentum), but the solution advanced only in some distorted manner obeys two of the fundamental properties of a Wigner distribution (that, when integrated over one period of the momentum variable, it should yield the correct marginal distribution on the discrete position variable, and that it should be invariant with respect to translation).

New Journal of Physics•Jun 13, 2013•3 citations

The Weyl‐Wigner‐Moyal Formalism on a Discrete Phase Space. I. A Wigner Function for a Nonrelativistic Particle with Spin

Maciej Przanowski, Jaromir Tosiek, Francisco J. Turrubiates

Abstract The Weyl‐Wigner‐Moyal formalism for quantum particle with discrete internal degrees of freedom is developed. A one to one correspondence between operators in the Hilbert space and functions on the phase space is found. The expressions for the Stratonovich‐Weyl quantiser, star product and Wigner functions of such systems for arbitrary values of spin are obtained in detail. As examples the Landau levels and the corresponding Wigner functions for a spin nonrelativistic particle as well as the magnetic resonance for a spin nonrelativistic uncharged particle are analysed.

arXiv:1812.07325•Fortschritte der Physik•Dec 1, 2019•11 citations

Wigner function approach to the quantum Brownian motion of a particle in a potential

W. T. Coffey, Yuri P. Kalmykov, С. В. Титов +1 more

Recent progress in our understanding of quantum effects on the Brownian motion in an external potential is reviewed. This problem is ubiquitous in physics and chemistry, particularly in the context of decay of metastable states, for example, the reversal of the magnetization of a single domain ferromagnetic particle, kinetics of a superconducting tunnelling junction, etc. Emphasis is laid on the establishment of master equations describing the diffusion process in phase space analogous to the classical Fokker-Planck equation. In particular, it is shown how Wigner's [E. P. Wigner, Phys. Rev., 1932, 40, 749] method of obtaining quantum corrections to the classical equilibrium Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution may be extended to the dissipative non-equilibrium dynamics governing the quantum Brownian motion in an external potential V(x), yielding a master equation for the Wigner distribution function W(x,p,t) in phase space (x,p). The explicit form of the master equation so obtained contains quantum correction terms up to o(h(4)) and in the classical limit, h --> 0, reduces to the classical Klein-Kramers equation. For a quantum oscillator, the method yields an evolution equation coinciding in all respects with that of Agarwal [G. S. Agarwal, Phys. Rev. A, 1971, 4, 739]. In the high dissipation limit, the master equation reduces to a semi-classical Smoluchowski equation describing non-inertial quantum diffusion in configuration space. The Wigner function formulation of quantum Brownian motion is further illustrated by finding quantum corrections to the Kramers escape rate, which, in appropriate limits, reduce to those yielded via quantum generalizations of reaction rate theory.

Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics•Jan 1, 2007•59 citations

Wigner function for a particle in an infinite lattice

Margarida Hinarejos, Armando Pérez, Mari Carmen Bañuls

We study the Wigner function for a quantum system with a discrete, infinite-dimensional Hilbert space, such as a spinless particle moving on a one-dimensional infinite lattice. We discuss the peculiarities of this scenario and of the associated phase-space construction, propose a meaningful definition of the Wigner function in this case and characterize the set of pure states for which it is non-negative. We propose a measure of non-classicality for states in this system, which is consistent with the continuum limit. The prescriptions introduced here are illustrated by applying them to localized and Gaussian states and to their superpositions.

arXiv:1205.3925•New Journal of Physics•Oct 3, 2012•33 citations
The recently proposed Wigner function for a particle in an infinite lattice (Hinarejos M, Bañuls M C and Pérez A 2012 New J. Phys. 14 103009) is extended here to include an internal degree of freedom as spin. This extension is made by introducing a Wigner matrix. The formalism is developed to account for dynamical processes, with or without decoherence. We show explicit solutions for the case of Hamiltonian evolution under a position-dependent potential, and for evolution governed by a master equation under some simple models of decoherence, for which the Wigner matrix formalism is well suited. Discrete processes are also discussed. Finally, we discuss the possibility of introducing a negativity concept for the Wigner function in the case where the spin degree of freedom is included.
The recently proposed Wigner function for a particle in an infinite lattice (Hinarejos M, Bañuls M C and Pérez A 2012 New J. Phys.14 103009) is extended here to include an internal degree of freedom as spin.This extension is made by introducing a Wigner matrix.The formalism is developed to account for dynamical processes, with or without decoherence.We show explicit solutions for the case of Hamiltonian evolution under a position-dependent potential, and for evolution governed by a master equation under some simple models of decoherence, for which the Wigner matrix formalism is well suited.Discrete processes are also discussed.Finally, we discuss the possibility of introducing a negativity concept for the Wigner function in the case where the spin degree of freedom is included.
It is pointed out that in a recent paper (2012 New J. Phys. 14 103009) in which a Wigner function for a particle in an infinite lattice (a system described by an unbounded discrete coordinate and its conjugate angle-like momentum) has been introduced, no reference is made to previous, pioneering work on discrete Wigner distributions (more precisely, on the rotational Wigner function for a system described by a rotation angle and its unbounded discrete-conjugate angular momentum). Not only has the problem addressed in essence been solved for a long time (the discrete coordinate and angle-like conjugate momentum are the perfect dual of the rotation angle and discrete-conjugate angular momentum), but the solution advanced only in some distorted manner obeys two of the fundamental properties of a Wigner distribution (that, when integrated over one period of the momentum variable, it should yield the correct marginal distribution on the discrete position variable, and that it should be invariant with respect to translation).
Abstract The Weyl‐Wigner‐Moyal formalism for quantum particle with discrete internal degrees of freedom is developed. A one to one correspondence between operators in the Hilbert space and functions on the phase space is found. The expressions for the Stratonovich‐Weyl quantiser, star product and Wigner functions of such systems for arbitrary values of spin are obtained in detail. As examples the Landau levels and the corresponding Wigner functions for a spin nonrelativistic particle as well as the magnetic resonance for a spin nonrelativistic uncharged particle are analysed.
Recent progress in our understanding of quantum effects on the Brownian motion in an external potential is reviewed. This problem is ubiquitous in physics and chemistry, particularly in the context of decay of metastable states, for example, the reversal of the magnetization of a single domain ferromagnetic particle, kinetics of a superconducting tunnelling junction, etc. Emphasis is laid on the establishment of master equations describing the diffusion process in phase space analogous to the classical Fokker-Planck equation. In particular, it is shown how Wigner's [E. P. Wigner, Phys. Rev., 1932, 40, 749] method of obtaining quantum corrections to the classical equilibrium Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution may be extended to the dissipative non-equilibrium dynamics governing the quantum Brownian motion in an external potential V(x), yielding a master equation for the Wigner distribution function W(x,p,t) in phase space (x,p). The explicit form of the master equation so obtained contains quantum correction terms up to o(h(4)) and in the classical limit, h --> 0, reduces to the classical Klein-Kramers equation. For a quantum oscillator, the method yields an evolution equation coinciding in all respects with that of Agarwal [G. S. Agarwal, Phys. Rev. A, 1971, 4, 739]. In the high dissipation limit, the master equation reduces to a semi-classical Smoluchowski equation describing non-inertial quantum diffusion in configuration space. The Wigner function formulation of quantum Brownian motion is further illustrated by finding quantum corrections to the Kramers escape rate, which, in appropriate limits, reduce to those yielded via quantum generalizations of reaction rate theory.
We study the Wigner function for a quantum system with a discrete, infinite-dimensional Hilbert space, such as a spinless particle moving on a one-dimensional infinite lattice. We discuss the peculiarities of this scenario and of the associated phase-space construction, propose a meaningful definition of the Wigner function in this case and characterize the set of pure states for which it is non-negative. We propose a measure of non-classicality for states in this system, which is consistent with the continuum limit. The prescriptions introduced here are illustrated by applying them to localized and Gaussian states and to their superpositions.