arXiv · 0909.5337
Energy concentration in composite quantum systems
Abstract
The spontaneous emission of photons from optical cavities and from trapped atoms has been studied extensively in the framework of quantum optics. Theoretical predictions based on the rotating wave approximation (RWA) are in general in very good agreement with experimental findings. However, current experiments aim at combining better and better cavities with large numbers of tightly confined atoms. Here we predict an energy concentrating mechanism in the behavior of such a composite quantum system which cannot be described by the RWA. Its result is the continuous leakage of photons through the cavity mirrors, even in the absence of external driving. We conclude with a discussion of the predicted phenomenon in the context of thermodynamics.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Explore connections, maps & timelines
Andreas Kurcz, Antonio Capolupo, Almut Beige, Emilio Del Giudice, Giuseppe Vitiello. 2010-06-03. Energy concentration in composite quantum systems. https://doi.org/10.1103/physreva.81.063821
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.