arXiv subjects

Jacob Dunningham

Publications and source records attributed to Jacob Dunningham.

22 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2007

Macroscopic superpositions of superfluid flows

We present a scheme for creating macroscopic superpositions of the direction of superfluid flow around a loop. Using the Bose-Hubbard model we study an array of Bose-Einstein condensates trapped in optical potentials and coupled to one another to form a ring. By rotating the ring so that each particle acquires on average half a quantum of superfluid flow, it is possible to create a multiparticle superposition of all the particles rotating and all the particles stationary. Under certain conditions it is possible to scale up the number of particles to form a macroscopic superposition. The simplicity of the model has allowed us to study macroscopic superpositions at an atomic level for different variables. Here we concentrate on the tunnelling strength between the potentials. Further investigation remains important, because it could lead us to making an ultra-precise quantum-limited gyroscope.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2007

Nonlocality of a single particle

There has been a great deal of debate surrounding the issue of whether it is possible for a single photon to exhibit nonlocality. A number of schemes have been proposed that claim to demonstrate this effect, but each has been met with significant opposition. The objections hinge largely on the fact that these schemes use unobservable initial states and so, it is claimed, they do not represent experiments that could actually be performed. Here we show how it is possible to overcome these objections by presenting an experimentally feasible scheme that uses realistic initial states. Furthermore, all the techniques required for photons are equally applicable to atoms. It should, therefore, also be possible to use this scheme to verify the nonlocality of a single massive particle.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2006

An investigation into why macroscopic systems behave classically

We study why it is quite so hard to make a superposition of superfluid flows in a Bose-Einstein condensate. To do this we initially investigate the quantum states of $N$ atoms trapped in a 1D ring with a barrier at one position and a phase applied around it. We show how macroscopic superpositions can in principle be produced and investigate factors which affect the superposition. We then use the Bose-Hubbard model to study an array of Bose-Einstein condensates trapped in optical potentials and coupled to one another to form a ring. We derive analytic expressions for the quality of the superposition for this system, which agrees well with direct diagonalisation of the Hamiltonian for relatively small numbers of atoms. We show that for macroscopic superpositions to be realised there are essentially three straightforward requirements, other than an absence of decoherence, which become harder to achieve as the system size increases. Firstly, the energies of the two distinct superfluid states must be sufficiently close. Secondly, coupling between the two states must be sufficiently strong, and thirdly, other states must be well separated from those participating in the superposition.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2006

Creation of macroscopic superpositions of flow states with Bose-Einstein condensates

We present a straightforward scheme for creating macroscopic superpositions of different superfluid flow states of Bose-Einstein condensates trapped in optical lattices. This scheme has the great advantage that all the techniques required are achievable with current experiments. Furthermore, the relative difficulty of creating cats scales favorably with the size of the cat. This means that this scheme may be well-suited to creating superpositions involving large numbers of particles. Such states may have interesting technological applications such as making quantum-limited measurements of angular momentum.

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