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Alessandro Teta

Publications and source records attributed to Alessandro Teta.

26 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Remarks on the Hamiltonian for the Fermionic Unitary Gas model

We consider a quantum system in dimension three composed by a group of $N$ identical fermions, with mass 1/2, interacting via zero-range interaction with a group of $M$ identical fermions of a different type, with mass $m/2$. Exploiting a renormalization procedure, we construct the corresponding quadratic (or energy) form and define the so-called Ter-Martirosyan-Skornyakov extension $H_α$, which is the natural candidate as a possible Hamiltonian of the system. In the particular case M=1, under a suitable condition on the parameters $m$, $N$, we show that the quadratic form is unbounded from below. In the same setting we prove that $H_α$ is not a self-adjoint and bounded from below operator and this in particular suggests that the so-called Thomas effect could occur.

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Asymptotic Expansion for the Wave Function in a one-dimensional Model of Inelastic Interaction

We consider a two-body quantum system in dimension one composed by a test particle interacting with an harmonic oscillator placed at the position $a>0$. At time zero the test particle is concentrated around the position $R_0$ with average velocity $\pm v_0$ while the oscillator is in its ground state. In a suitable scaling limit, corresponding for the test particle to a semi-classical regime with small energy exchange with the oscillator, we give a complete asymptotic expansion of the wave function of the system in both cases $R_0 a$.

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Classical behavior in quantum systems: the case of straight tracks in a cloud chamber

The aim of this review is to discuss in a pedagogical way the problem of the emergence of a classical behavior in certain physical systems which, in principle, are correctly described by quantum mechanics. It is stressed that the limit $\hbar \to 0$ is not sufficient and the crucial role played by the environment must be taken into account. In particular it is recalled the old problem raised by Mott in 1929 (\cite{m}) concerning the straight tracks observed in a cloud chamber, produced by an $α$-particle emitted by a source in the form of a spherical wave. The conceptual relevance of the problem for a clearer understanding of the classical limit is discussed in a historical perspective. Moreover a simple mathematical model is proposed, where the result of Mott is obtained in a rigorous mathematical way.

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Joint excitation probability for two harmonic oscillators in dimension one and the Mott problem

We analyze a one dimensional quantum system consisting of a test particle interacting with two harmonic oscillators placed at the positions $a_1$, $a_2$, with $a_1 >0$, $|a_2|>a_1$, in the two possible situations: $a_2>0$ and $a_2 <0$. At time zero the harmonic oscillators are in their ground state and the test particle is in a superposition state of two wave packets centered in the origin with opposite mean momentum. %$\pm M v_0$. Under suitable assumptions on the physical parameters of the model, we consider the time evolution of the wave function and we compute the probability $\mathcal{P}^{-}_{n_1 n_2} (t)$ (resp. $\mathcal{P}^{+}_{n_1 n_2} (t)$) that both oscillators are in the excited states labelled by $n_1$, $n_2 >0$ at time $t > |a_2| v_0^{-1}$ when $a_2 <0$ (resp. $a_2 >0$). We prove that $\mathcal{P}_{n_1 n_2}^- (t)$ is negligible with respect to $\mathcal{P}_{n_1 n_2}^+ (t)$, up to second order in time dependent perturbation theory. The system we consider is a simplified, one dimensional version of the original model of a cloud chamber introduced by Mott in \cite{m}, where the result was argued using euristic arguments in the framework of the time independent perturbation theory for the stationary Schrödinger equation. The method of the proof is entirely elementary and it is essentially based on a stationary phase argument. We also remark that all the computations refer to the Schrödinger equation for the three-particle system, with no reference to the wave packet collapse postulate.

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On the Asymptotic Dynamics of a Quantum System Composed by Heavy and Light Particles

We consider a non relativistic quantum system consisting of $K$ heavy and $N$ light particles in dimension three, where each heavy particle interacts with the light ones via a two-body potential $αV$. No interaction is assumed among particles of the same kind. Choosing an initial state in a product form and assuming $α$ sufficiently small we characterize the asymptotic dynamics of the system in the limit of small mass ratio, with an explicit control of the error. In the case K=1 the result is extended to arbitrary $α$. The proof relies on a perturbative analysis and exploits a generalized version of the standard dispersive estimates for the Schrödinger group. Exploiting the asymptotic formula, it is also outlined an application to the problem of the decoherence effect produced on a heavy particle by the interaction with the light ones.

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Dispersive estimate for the Schroedinger equation with point interactions

We consider the Schroedinger operator in R^3 with N point interactions placed at Y=(y_1, ... ,y_N), y_j in R^3, of strength a=(a_1, ... ,a_N). Exploiting the spectral theorem and the rather explicit expression for the resolvent we prove a (weighted) dispersive estimate for the corresponding Schroedinger flow. In the special case N=1 the proof is directly obtained from the unitary group which is known in closed form.

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On a Rigorous Proof of the Joos-Zeh Formula for Decoherence in a Two-Body Problem

We consider a simple one dimensional system consisting of two particles interacting with a $δ$-potential and we discuss a rigorous derivation of the asymptotic wave function of the system in the limit of small mass ratio. We apply the result to the explicit computation of the decoherence effect induced by scattering in a concrete example of quantum evolution.

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On the Aharonov-Bohm Effect

Using the theory of self-adjoint extensions, we construct all the possible hamiltonians describing the non relativistic Aharonov-Bohm effect. In general the resulting hamiltonians are not rotationally invariant so that the angular momentum is not a constant of motion. Using an explicit formula for the resolvent, we describe the spectrum and compute the generalized eigenfunctions and the scattering amplitude.

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