Kicked Rotor in Wigner Phase Space
We develop the Wigner phase space representation of a kicked particle for an arbitrary but periodic kicking potential. We use this formalism to illustrate quantum resonances and anti--resonances.
quant-ph↗
arXiv subjects
M. G. Raizen
Publications and source records attributed to M. G. Raizen.
State reconstruction of the kicked rotor
We propose two experimentally feasible methods based on atom interferometry to measure the quantum state of the kicked rotor.
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Observation of the Quantum Zeno and Anti-Zeno effects in an unstable system
We report the first observation of the Quantum Zeno and Anti-Zeno effects in an unstable system. Cold sodium atoms are trapped in a far-detuned standing wave of light that is accelerated for a controlled duration. For a large acceleration the atoms can escape the trapping potential via tunneling. Initially the number of trapped atoms shows strong non-exponential decay features, evolving into the characteristic exponential decay behavior. We repeatedly measure the number of atoms remaining trapped during the initial period of non-exponential decay. Depending on the frequency of measurements we observe a decay that is suppressed or enhanced as compared to the unperturbed system.
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Complementarity and Young's interference fringes from two atoms
The interference pattern of the resonance fluorescence from a J=1/2 to J=1/2 transition of two identical atoms confined in a three-dimensional harmonic potential is calculated. Thermal motion of the atoms is included. Agreement is obtained with experiments [Eichmann et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 70, 2359 (1993)]. Contrary to some theoretical predictions, but in agreement with the present calculations, a fringe visibility greater than 50% can be observed with polarization-selective detection. The dependence of the fringe visibility on polarization has a simple interpretation, based on whether or not it is possible in principle to determine which atom emitted the photon.
quant-ph↗