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arXiv:quant-ph/0309134

Matter waves from localized quantum sources

Tobias Kramer

Published Sep 18, 2003• 2 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Matter waves originating from a localized region in space appear commonly in physics. Examples are photo-electrons, ballistic electrons in nanotechnology devices (scanning-tunneling microscopy, quantum Hall effect), or atoms released from a coherent source (atom laser). We introduce the energy-dependent Green function as a suitable tool to calculate the arising currents. For some systems experimental data is available and in excellent agreement with the presented results.

DOI
10.48550/arxiv.quant-ph/0309134

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All objects in the universe simultaneously present microscopic properties of waves and particles. This basic concept of quantum mechanics is at the origin of matter wave optics and interferometry, where beams of atoms can diffract and interfere. There is even today coherent sources (laser) with atoms. These tools enable us to develop devices that simulate the phenomena of electronic conduction in semiconductors, or build highly sensitive instruments that could, for example, test the laws of universal gravitation. The lecture will present recent scientific progress obtained with these tools towards these directions.
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