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Quantum dynamics of the damped harmonic oscillator

T. G. Philbin

Published Aug 17, 2016• 18 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

Abstract. The quantum theory of the damped harmonic oscillator has been a subject of continual investigation since the 1930s. The obstacle to quantization created by the dissipation of energy is usually dealt with by including a discrete set of additional harmonic oscillators as a reservoir. But a discrete reservoir cannot directly yield dynamics such as Ohmic damping (proportional to velocity) of the oscillator of interest. By using a continuum of oscillators as a reservoir, we canonically quantize the harmonic oscillator with Ohmic damping and also with general damping behaviour. The dynamics of a damped oscillator is determined by an arbitrary effective susceptibility that obeys Kramers-Kronig relations. This approach offers an alternative description of nano-mechanical oscillators and opto-mechanical systems. PACS numbers: 03.65.-w, 03.65.Yz, 03.70.+k 1.

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Quantum dynamics of the damped harmonic oscillator

T G Philbin

The quantum theory of the damped harmonic oscillator has been a subject of continual investigation since the 1930s. The obstacle to quantization created by the dissipation of energy is usually dealt with by including a discrete set of additional harmonic oscillators as a reservoir. But a discrete reservoir cannot directly yield dynamics such as Ohmic damping (proportional to velocity) of the oscillator of interest. By using a continuum of oscillators as a reservoir, we canonically quantize the harmonic oscillator with Ohmic damping and also with general damping behaviour. The dynamics of a damped oscillator is determined by an arbitrary effective susceptibility that obeys the Kramers–Kronig relations. This approach offers an alternative description of nano-mechanical oscillators and opto-mechanical systems.

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The quantum theory of a damped harmonic oscillator has been continuously studied since 1939. For quantization, an oscillation oscillator usually uses a reservoir that includes a number of finite and discrete oscillators. However, a set of discrete oscillators is unable to study the quantum theory of an Ohmic damping (damping proportional to velocity). In this research, a continuous set of harmonic oscillators has been used to investigate Ohmic damping. Using a continuum reservoir instead of a discrete reservoir will enrich the results of the dynamic system. The results of this research can be used to study nano-mechanical systems and opto-mechanical systems.

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TAN WEI-HAN, Xuewen Wang, XIE CHENG-GANG +2 more

We have analysed the quantization schemes presented in references [1, 2] for a damped harmonic oscillator and found out that there are some defects in volved in these schemes. In order to remedy these defects, we assume the coordinate system fluctuating with a velocity g(t) in addition to damping force f(t) proportional to the velocity and suggest a method of quantization for this system based on the full quantum theory of lasers. It is proved that the usual Heisenberg relation xp-px=ih can be maintained, but the quantum term in statistical average value of physical variable does not damp as shown in reference [1].

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QUANTUM MECHANICAL TREATMENT OF A DAMPED HARMONIC OSCILLATOR

PENG HUAN-WU, 中国科学院理论物理研究所

Assuming a damping force proportional to the velocity, it is shown that the usual quantum condition between the physical variables, namely the displacement and the momentum, has to be modified by the damping. However, it is possible to change to new variables which are canonical. Then we can apply the usual quantum mechanics and use the usual physical interpretation through the statistical average values. The case of a one-dimensional damped harmonic oscillator under the action of an arbitrary external force has been worked out as an example. No difficulty arises and the results are reasonable.

Acta Physica Sinica•Jan 1, 1980•19 citations
Abstract. The quantum theory of the damped harmonic oscillator has been a subject of continual investigation since the 1930s. The obstacle to quantization created by the dissipation of energy is usually dealt with by including a discrete set of additional harmonic oscillators as a reservoir. But a discrete reservoir cannot directly yield dynamics such as Ohmic damping (proportional to velocity) of the oscillator of interest. By using a continuum of oscillators as a reservoir, we canonically quantize the harmonic oscillator with Ohmic damping and also with general damping behaviour. The dynamics of a damped oscillator is determined by an arbitrary effective susceptibility that obeys Kramers-Kronig relations. This approach offers an alternative description of nano-mechanical oscillators and opto-mechanical systems. PACS numbers: 03.65.-w, 03.65.Yz, 03.70.+k 1.
The quantum theory of the damped harmonic oscillator has been a subject of continual investigation since the 1930s. The obstacle to quantization created by the dissipation of energy is usually dealt with by including a discrete set of additional harmonic oscillators as a reservoir. But a discrete reservoir cannot directly yield dynamics such as Ohmic damping (proportional to velocity) of the oscillator of interest. By using a continuum of oscillators as a reservoir, we canonically quantize the harmonic oscillator with Ohmic damping and also with general damping behaviour. The dynamics of a damped oscillator is determined by an arbitrary effective susceptibility that obeys the Kramers–Kronig relations. This approach offers an alternative description of nano-mechanical oscillators and opto-mechanical systems.
The quantum theory of a damped harmonic oscillator has been continuously studied since 1939. For quantization, an oscillation oscillator usually uses a reservoir that includes a number of finite and discrete oscillators. However, a set of discrete oscillators is unable to study the quantum theory of an Ohmic damping (damping proportional to velocity). In this research, a continuous set of harmonic oscillators has been used to investigate Ohmic damping. Using a continuum reservoir instead of a discrete reservoir will enrich the results of the dynamic system. The results of this research can be used to study nano-mechanical systems and opto-mechanical systems.
Quantization of a damped harmonic oscillator leads to so called Bateman's dual system. The corresponding Bateman's Hamiltonian, being a self-adjoint operator, displays the discrete family of complex eigenvalues. We show that they correspond to the poles of energy eigenvectors and the corresponding resolvent operator when continued to the complex energy plane. Therefore, the corresponding generalized eigenvectors may be interpreted as resonant states which are responsible for the irreversible quantum dynamics of a damped harmonic oscillator.
The physics of quantum electromagnetism in an absorbing medium is that of a field of damped harmonic oscillators. Yet until recently the damped harmonic oscillator was not treated with the same kind of formalism used to describe quantum electrodynamics in a arbitrary medium. Here we use the techniques of macroscopic QED, based on the Huttner--Barnett reservoir, to describe the quantum mechanics of a damped oscillator. We calculate the thermal and zero-point energy of the oscillator for a range of damping values from zero to infinity. While both the thermal and zero-point energies decrease with damping, the energy stored in the oscillator at fixed temperature increases with damping, an effect that may be experimentally observable. As the results follow from canonical quantization, the uncertainty principle is valid for all damping levels.
We have analysed the quantization schemes presented in references [1, 2] for a damped harmonic oscillator and found out that there are some defects in volved in these schemes. In order to remedy these defects, we assume the coordinate system fluctuating with a velocity g(t) in addition to damping force f(t) proportional to the velocity and suggest a method of quantization for this system based on the full quantum theory of lasers. It is proved that the usual Heisenberg relation xp-px=ih can be maintained, but the quantum term in statistical average value of physical variable does not damp as shown in reference [1].
Assuming a damping force proportional to the velocity, it is shown that the usual quantum condition between the physical variables, namely the displacement and the momentum, has to be modified by the damping. However, it is possible to change to new variables which are canonical. Then we can apply the usual quantum mechanics and use the usual physical interpretation through the statistical average values. The case of a one-dimensional damped harmonic oscillator under the action of an arbitrary external force has been worked out as an example. No difficulty arises and the results are reasonable.