arXiv subjects

J. M. Zhang

Publications and source records attributed to J. M. Zhang.

35 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2016

Optimal Slater-determinant approximation of fermionic wave functions

We study the optimal Slater-determinant approximation of an $N$-fermion wave function analytically. That is, we seek the Slater-determinant (constructed out of $N$ orthonormal single-particle orbitals) wave function having largest overlap with a given $N$-fermion wave function. Some simple lemmas have been established and their usefulness is demonstrated on some structured states, such as the Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger state. In the simplest nontrivial case of three fermions in six orbitals, which the celebrated Borland-Dennis discovery is about, the optimal Slater approximation wave function is proven to be built out of the natural orbitals in an interesting way. We also show that the Hadamard inequality is useful for finding the optimal Slater approximation of some special target wave functions.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Concise configuration interaction expansions for three fermions in six orbitals

The Hilbert space for three fermions in six orbitals, lately dubbed the "Borland-Dennis setting," is a proving ground for insights into electronic structure. Borland and Dennis discovered that, when referred to coordinate systems defined in terms of its natural orbitals, a wave function in the Borland-Dennis setting has the same structure as a 3-qubit state. By dint of the Borland-Dennis Theorem, canonical forms for 3-qubit states have analogs in the Borland-Dennis setting. One of these canonical forms is based upon "max-overlap Slater determinant approximations." Any max-overlap Slater determinant approximation of a given wave function is the leading term in a 5-term configuration interaction (CI) expansion of that wave function. Our main result is that "max-overlap CIS approximations" also lead to 5-term CI expansions, distinct from those based on max-overlap Slater determinant approximations, though of the same symmetric shape. We also prove the analog of this result for 3-qubit setting.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2015

Nonsmooth and level-resolved dynamics illustrated with the tight binding model

We point out that in the first order time-dependent perturbation theory, the transition probability may behave nonsmoothly in time and have kinks periodically. Moreover, the detailed temporal evolution can be sensitive to the exact locations of the eigenvalues in the continuum spectrum, in contrast to coarse-graining ideas. Underlying this nonsmooth and level-resolved dynamics is a simple equality about the sinc function $\sinc x \equiv \sin x / x$. These physical effects appear in many systems with approximately equally spaced spectra, and is also robust for larger-amplitude coupling beyond the domain of perturbation theory. We use a one-dimensional periodically driven tight-binding model to illustrate these effects, both within and outside the perturbative regime.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2014

Integrability and weak diffraction in a two-particle Bose-Hubbard model

A recently introduced one-dimensional two-particle Bose-Hubbard model with a single impurity is studied on finite lattices. The model possesses a discrete reflection symmetry and we demonstrate that all eigenstates odd under this symmetry can be obtained with a generalized Bethe ansatz if periodic boundary conditions are imposed. Furthermore, we provide numerical evidence that this holds true for open boundary conditions as well. The model exhibits backscattering at the impurity site -- which usually destroys integrability -- yet there exists an integrable subspace. We investigate the non-integrable even sector numerically and find a class of states which have almost the Bethe ansatz form. These weakly diffractive states correspond to a weak violation of the non-local Yang-Baxter relation which is satisfied in the odd sector. We bring up a method based on the Prony algorithm to check whether a numerically obtained wave function is in the Bethe form or not, and if so, to extract parameters from it. This technique is applicable to a wide variety of other lattice models.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2013

Optimal multi-configuration approximation of an N-fermion wave function

We propose a simple iterative algorithm to construct the optimal multi-configuration approximation of an $N$-fermion wave function. That is, $M\geq N $ single-particle orbitals are sought iteratively so that the projection of the given wave function in the $C_M^N$-dimensional configuration subspace is maximized. The algorithm has a monotonic convergence property and can be easily parallelized. The significance of the algorithm on the study of entanglement in a multi-fermion system and its implication on the multi-configuration time-dependent Hartree-Fock (MCTDHF) are discussed. The ground state and real-time dynamics of spinless fermions with nearest-neighbor interactions are studied using this algorithm, discussing several subtleties.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2013

Schrodinger cat states prepared by Bloch oscillation in a spin-dependent optical lattice

We propose to use Bloch oscillation of ultra-cold atoms in a spin-dependent optical lattice to prepare schrodinger cat states. Depending on its internal state, an atom feels different periodic potentials and thus has different energy band structures for its center-of-mass motion. Consequently, under the same gravity force, the wave packets associated with different internal states perform Bloch oscillation of different amplitudes in space and in particular they can be macroscopically displaced with respect to each other. In this way, a cat state can be prepared.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2013

Strong thermalization of the two-component Bose-Hubbard model at finite temperatures

We study thermalization of a two-component Bose-Hubbard model by exact diagonalization. Initially the two components do not interact and are each at equilibrium but with different temperatures. As the on-site inter-component interaction is turned on, perfect thermalization occurs. Remarkably, not merely those simple "realistic" physical observables thermalize but even the density matrix of the \textit{whole} system---the time-averaged density matrix of the system can be well approximated by that of a canonical ensemble. A conjecture about this fact is put forward.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2012

Bound states in the one-dimensional two-particle Hubbard model with an impurity

We investigate bound states in the one-dimensional two-particle Bose-Hubbard model with an attractive ($V> 0$) impurity potential. This is a one-dimensional, discrete analogy of the hydrogen negative ion H$^-$ problem. There are several different types of bound states in this system, each of which appears in a specific region. For given $V$, there exists a (positive) critical value $U_{c1}$ of $U$, below which the ground state is a bound state. Interestingly, close to the critical value ($U\lesssim U_{c1}$), the ground state can be described by the Chandrasekhar-type variational wave function, which was initially proposed for H$^-$. For $U>U_{c1}$, the ground state is no longer a bound state. However, there exists a second (larger) critical value $U_{c2}$ of $U$, above which a molecule-type bound state is established and stabilized by the repulsion. We have also tried to solve for the eigenstates of the model using the Bethe ansatz. The model possesses a global $\Zz_2$-symmetry (parity) which allows classification of all eigenstates into even and odd ones. It is found that all states with odd-parity have the Bethe form, but none of the states in the even-parity sector. This allows us to identify analytically two odd-parity bound states, which appear in the parameter regions $-2V<U<-V$ and $-V<U<0$, respectively. Remarkably, the latter one can be \textit{embedded} in the continuum spectrum with appropriate parameters. Moreover, in part of these regions, there exists an even-parity bound state accompanying the corresponding odd-parity bound state with almost the same energy.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2012

Controlling phase separation of a two-component Bose-Einstein condensate by confinement

We point out that the widely accepted condition g11g22<g122 for phase separation of a two-component Bose-Einstein condensate is insufficient if kinetic energy is taken into account, which competes against the intercomponent interaction and favors phase mixing. Here g11, g22, and g12 are the intra- and intercomponent interaction strengths, respectively. Taking a d-dimensional infinitely deep square well potential of width L as an example, a simple scaling analysis shows that if d=1 (d=3), phase separation will be suppressed as L\rightarrow0 (L\rightarrow\infty) whether the condition g11g22<g122 is satisfied or not. In the intermediate case of d=2, the width L is irrelevant but again phase separation can be partially or even completely suppressed even if g11g22<g122. Moreover, the miscibility-immiscibility transition is turned from a first-order one into a second-order one by the kinetic energy. All these results carry over to d-dimensional harmonic potentials, where the harmonic oscillator length ξho plays the role of L. Our finding provides a scenario of controlling the miscibility-immiscibility transition of a two-component condensate by changing the confinement, instead of the conventional approach of changing the values of the g's.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2011

The generalized Gibbs ensemble as a pseudo-initial state: its predictive power revealed in a second quench

The generalized Gibbs ensemble has been shown to be relevant in the relaxation of a completely integrable system subject to a quantum quench, in the sense that it accurately predicts the steady values of some physical variables. We proceed to further question its relevance by giving the quenched system a second quench. The concern is whether the generalized Gibbs ensemble can also accurately predict the relaxed system's response to the second quench. Two case studies with the transverse Ising model and the hard-core bosons in one dimension yield an affirmative answer. The relevance of the generalized Gibbs ensemble in the non-equilibrium dynamics of integrable systems is then greatly strengthened.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2011

Light scattering detection of quantum phases of ultracold atoms in optical lattices

Ultracold atoms loaded on optical lattices can provide unprecedented experimental systems for the quantum simulations and manipulations of many quantum phases. However, so far, how to detect these quantum phases effectively remains an outstanding challenge. Here, we show that the optical Bragg scattering of cold atoms loaded on optical lattices can be used to detect many quantum phases which include not only the conventional superfluid and Mott insulating phases, but also other important phases such as various kinds of density waves (CDW), valence bond solids (VBS), CDW supersolids and VBS supersolids.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2011

Quantum quench dynamics of the Bose-Hubbard model at finite temperatures

We study quench dynamics of the Bose-Hubbard model by exact diagonalization. Initially the system is at thermal equilibrium and of a finite temperature. The system is then quenched by changing the on-site interaction strength $U$ suddenly. Both the single-quench and double-quench scenarios are considered. In the former case, the time-averaged density matrix and the real-time evolution are investigated. It is found that though the system thermalizes only in a very narrow range of the quenched value of $U$, it does equilibrate or relax well in a much larger range. Most importantly, it is proven that this is guaranteed for some typical observables in the thermodynamic limit. In order to test whether it is possible to distinguish the unitarily evolving density matrix from the time-averaged (thus time-independent), fully decoherenced density matrix, a second quench is considered. It turns out that the answer is affirmative or negative according to the intermediate value of $U$ is zero or not.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2011

Exact diagonalization: the Bose-Hubbard model as an example

We take the Bose-Hubbard model to illustrate exact diagonalization techniques in a pedagogical way. We follow the road of first generating all the basis vectors, then setting up the Hamiltonian matrix with respect to this basis, and finally using the Lanczos algorithm to solve low lying eigenstates and eigenvalues. Emphasis is placed on how to enumerate all the basis vectors and how to use the hashing trick to set up the Hamiltonian matrix or matrices corresponding to other quantities. Although our route is not necessarily the most efficient one in practice, the techniques and ideas introduced are quite general and may find use in many other problems.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2011

Directed coherent transport due to Bloch oscillation in two dimensions

We point out that in higher dimensions, in contrast to the one dimensional case considered usually, Bloch oscillation driven by a static force can induce transport of the wave packet. The wave packet oscillates constantly, but on a larger time scale it drifts at a constant velocity permanently. As a noteworthy feature, the net transport in the long run is always normal to the external force and thus controlled by it. We verify this prediction numerically and discuss its experimental realization both with cold atoms in optical lattices and with two dimensional photonic lattices.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2009

Probing the quantum ground state of a spin-1 Bose-Einstein condensate with cavity transmission spectra

We propose to probe the quantum ground state of a spin-1 Bose-Einstein condensate with the transmission spectra of an optical cavity. By choosing a circularly polarized cavity mode with an appropriate frequency, we can realize coupling between the cavity mode and the magnetization of the condensate. The cavity transmission spectra then contain information of the magnetization statistics of the condensate and thus can be used to distinguish the ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic quantum ground states. This technique may also be useful for continuous observation of the spin dynamics of a spinor Bose-Einstein condensate.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2008

Nonlinear dynamics of a cigar-shaped Bose-Einstein condensate coupled with a single cavity mode

We investigate the nonlinear dynamics of a combined system which is composed of a cigar-shaped Bose-Einstein condensate and an optical cavity. The two sides couple dispersively. This system is characterized by its nonlinearity: after integrating out the freedom of the cavity mode, the potential felt by the condensate depends on the condensate itself. We develop a discrete-mode approximation for the condensate. Based on this approximation, we map out the steady configurations of the system. It is found that due to the nonlinearity of the system, the nonlinear levels of the system can fold up in some parameter regimes. That will lead to the breakdown of adiabaticity. Analysis of the dynamical stability of the steady states indicates that the same level structure also results in optical bistability.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2008

Mean-field dynamics of a Bose Josephson junction in an optical cavity

We study the mean-field dynamics of a Bose Josephson junction which is dispersively coupled to a single mode of a high-finesse optical cavity. An effective classical Hamiltonian for the Bose Josephson junction is derived and its dynamics is studied in the perspective of phase portrait. It is shown that the strong condensate-field coupling does alter the dynamics of the Bose Josephson junction drastically. The possibility of coherent manipulating and \textsl{in situ} observation of the dynamics of the Bose Josephson junction is discussed.

quant-ph↗