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Karl-Peter Marzlin

Publications and source records attributed to Karl-Peter Marzlin.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Inconsistency in the application of the adiabatic theorem

The adiabatic theorem states that an initial eigenstate of a slowly varying Hamiltonian remains close to an instantaneous eigenstate of the Hamiltonian at a later time. We show that a perfunctory application of this statement is problematic if the change in eigenstate is significant, regardless of how closely the evolution satisfies the requirements of the adiabatic theorem. We also introduce an example of a two-level system with an exactly solvable evolution to demonstrate the inapplicability of the adiabatic approximation for a particular slowly varying Hamiltonian.

quant-ph↗

Entanglement gauge and the non-Abelian geometric phase with two photonic qubits

We introduce the entanglement gauge describing the combined effects of local operations and nonlocal unitary transformations on bipartite quantum systems. The entanglement gauge exploits the invariance of nonlocal properties for bipartite systems under local (gauge) transformations. This new formalism yields observable effects arising from the gauge geometry of the bipartite system. In particular, we propose a non-Abelian gauge theory realized via two separated spatial modes of the quantized electromagnetic field manipulated by linear optics. In this linear optical realization, a bi-partite state of two separated spatial modes can acquire a non-Abelian geometric phase.

quant-ph↗

Stability of gap solitons in a Bose-Einstein condensate

We analyze the dynamical stability of gap solitons formed in a quasi one-dimensional Bose-Einstein condensate in an optical lattice. Using two different numerical methods we show that, under realistic assumptions for experimental parameters, a gap soliton is stable only in a truly one-dimensional situation. In two and three dimensions resonant transverse excitations lead to dynamical instability. The time scale of the decay is numerically calculated and shown to be large compared to the characteristic time scale of solitons for realistic physical parameters.

cond-mat.soft↗

Decoherence of Atomic Gases in Largely Detuned Laser Fields

We study theoretically the decoherence of a gas of bosonic atoms induced by the interaction with a largely detuned laser beam. It is shown that for a standing laser beam decoherence coincides with the single-particle result. For a running laser beam many-particle effects lead to significant modifications.

quant-ph↗

Bose-Einstein Condensates in Optical Lattices: Spontaneous Emission in the Presence of Photonic Band Gaps

An extended Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) in an optical lattice provides a kind of periodic dielectric and causes band gaps to occur in the spectrum of light propagating through it. We examine the question whether these band gaps can modify the spontaneous emission rate of atoms excited from the BEC, and whether they can lead to a self-stabilization of the BEC against spontaneous emission. We find that self-stabilization is not possible for BECs with a density in the order of $10^{14}$ cm$^{-3}$. However, the corresponding non-Markovian behavior produces significant effects in the decay of excited atoms even for a homogeneous BEC interacting with a weak laser beam. These effects are caused by the occurrence of an avoided crossing in the photon (or rather polariton) spectrum. We also predict a new channel for spontaneous decay which arises from an interference between periodically excited atoms and periodic photon modes. This new channel should also occur in ordinary periodic dielectrics.

cond-mat↗

Creation of Skyrmions in a Spinor Bose-Einstein Condensate

We propose a scheme for the creation of skyrmions (coreless vortices) in a Bose-Einstein condensate with hyperfine spin F=1. In this scheme, four traveling-wave laser beams, with Gaussian or Laguerre-Gaussian transverse profiles, induce Raman transitions with an anomalous dependence on the laser polarization, thereby generating the optical potential required for producing skyrmions.

cond-mat↗

Photonic band gaps and defect states induced by excitations of Bose-Einstein condensates in optical lattices

We study the interaction of a Bose-Einstein condensate, which is confined in an optical lattice, with a largely detuned light field propagating through the condensate. If the condensate is in its ground state it acts as a periodic dielectric and gives rise to photonic band gaps at optical frequencies. The band structure of the combined system of condensed lattice-atoms and photons is studied by using the concept of polaritons. If elementary excitations of the condensate are present, they will produce defect states inside the photonic band gaps. The frequency of localized defect states is calculated using the Koster-Slater model.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

Quantized circular motion of a trapped Bose-Einstein condensate: coherent rotation and vortices

We study the creation of vortex states in a trapped Bose-Einstein condensate by a rotating force. For a harmonic trapping potential the rotating force induces only a circular motion of the whole condensate around the trap center which does not depend on the interatomic interaction. For the creation of a pure vortex state it is necessary to confine the atoms in an anharmonic trapping potential. The efficiency of the creation can be greatly enhanced by a sinusodial variation of the force's angular velocity. We present analytical and numerical calculations for the case of a quartic trapping potential. The physical mechanism behind the requirement of an anharmonic trapping potential for the creation of pure vortex states is explained. [Changes: new numerical and analytical results are added and the representation is improved.]

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

Vortex coupler for atomic Bose-Einstein condensates

A coherent coupler is proposed to spin a Bose-Einstein condensate composed of ultracold alkali atoms into a vortex state (VS). The proposal is based on a Raman transition induced by two copropagating $σ^+$ and $σ^-$ polarized Laguerre-Gaussian laser beams with different frequencies. We show that the transfer of angular momentum of photons to the condensed atoms through a Raman transition leads to a coherent coupling of the ground-state condensate to a rotating condensate in a VS. The detection of such a VS is discussed.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

Collapse and revival of ultracold atoms in a microwave cavity and of photons in parametric down-conversion

We present a new theoretical method to study a trapped gas of bosonic two-level atoms interacting with a single mode of a microwave cavity. This interaction is described by a trilinear Hamiltonian which is formally completely equivalent to the one describing parametric down-conversion in quantum optics. A system of differential equations describing the evolution, including the long-time behaviour, of not only the mean value but also the variance of the number of excited atoms is derived and solved analytically. For different initial states the mean number of excited atoms exhibits periodically reappearing dips, with an accompanying peak in the variance, or fractional collapses and revivals. Closed expressions for the period and the revival time are obtained.

quant-ph↗

Laser-induced Rotation of a Trapped Bose-Einstein Condensate

In this letter, atom optic techniques are proposed to control the excitation of a Bose-Einstein condensate in an atomic trap. We show that by employing the dipole potential induced by four highly detuned travelling-wave laser beams with appropriate phases and frequencies, one can coherently excite a trapped Bose-Einstein condensate composed of ultracold alkali atoms into a state rotating around the trap center. The connection to vortex states is discussed.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

States insensitive to the Unruh effect in multi-level detectors

We give a general treatment of the spontaneous excitation rates and the non-relativistic Lamb shift of constantly accelerated multi-level atoms as a model for multi-level detectors. Using a covariant formulation of the dipole coupling between the atom and the electromagnetic field we show that new Raman-like transitions can be induced by the acceleration. Under certain conditions these transitions can lead to stable ground and excited states which are not affected by the non inertial motion. The magnitude of the Unruh effect is not altered by multi-level effects. Both the spontaneous excitation rates and the Lamb shift are not within the range of measurability.

gr-qc↗

Bloch oscillations: atom optical interpretation, realizations, and applications

The cyclic motion of particles in a periodic potential under the influence of a constant external force is analyzed in an atom optical approach based on Landau-Zener transitions between two resonant states. The resulting complex picture of population transfers can be interpreted in an intuitive diagrammatic way. The model is also applied to genuine atom optical systems and its applicability is discussed.

atom-ph↗

Actio causes reactio: Gravito-optical trapping of three-level atoms

We investigate an atomic three-level $Λ$-system which is exposed to two counterpropagating laser fields (inducing Raman transitions) and which is closed by a magnetic hyperfine field tuned to be in resonance with the transition between the two ground states. The influence of a homogeneous gravitational field is included in a full quantum treatment of the internal and external dynamics of the atom. It is shown that the combined influence of the gravitational field and the lasers lead for specific momentum values with a very high probability to a transition of the Landau-Zener type. This is accompanied by a momentum transfer resulting in an upward kick. For appropriate initial conditions a sequence of up and down motions is obtained. No mirror is needed. A gravito-optical trapping of atoms based on this effect seems to be realizable.

atom-ph↗

QED in Optically Active Media: Enhanced Spontaneous Emission and Chiral Yet Parity Conserving Corrections to the Electron Mass

The electromagnetic field inside an isotropic optically active medium is quantized on the base of Fedorov's model for optical activity. The modified photon propagator is derived. Using this result it is shown that the QED correction to the electron mass contains chiral terms which nevertheless are parity invariant. The spontaneous emission rate of a two-level atom is shown to increase in the medium. The spontaneously emitted radiation is partially polarized.

hep-ph↗

THE "FREELY" FALLING TWO-LEVEL ATOM IN A RUNNING LASER WAVE

The time evolution of a two-level atom which is simultaneously exposed to the field of a running laser wave and a homogeneous gravitational field is studied. The result of the coupled dynamics of internal transitions and center-of-mass motion is worked out exactly. Neglecting spontaneous emission and performing the rotating wave approximation we derive the complete time evolution operator in an algebraical way by using commutation relations. The result is discussed with respect to the physical implications. In particular the long time and short time behaviour is physically analyzed in detail. The breakdown of the Magnus perturbation expansion is shown.

quant-ph↗

The Dipole Coupling of Atoms and Light in Gravitational Fields

The dipole coupling term between a system of N particles with total charge zero and the electromagnetic field is derived in the presence of a weak gravitational field. It is shown that the form of the coupling remains the same as in flat space-time if it is written with respect to the proper time of the observer and to the measurable field components. Some remarks concerning the connection between the minimal and the dipole coupling are given.

gr-qc↗