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Marlan O. Scully

Publications and source records attributed to Marlan O. Scully.

107 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
arXiv2006

Generation of strong short coherent terahertz pulses in Ladder-Lambda and Double-Lambda systems

We show that coherently driven atomic or molecular media potentially yield strong controllable short pulses of THz radiation. The method is based on excitation of maximal quantum coherence in a gas medium by optical pulses and coherent scattering of infra-red radiation to produce pulses of THz radiation. The pulses have the energies range from several nJ to $μ$J and time durations from several fs to ns at room temperature.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2005

Cavity-mediated long-range interaction for fast multiqubit quantum logic operations

Interactions among qubits are essential for performing two-qubit quantum logic operations. However, nature gives us only nearest neighbor interactions in simple and controllable settings. Here we propose a strategy to induce interactions among two atomic entities that are not necessarily neighbors of each other through their common coupling with a cavity field. This facilitates fast multiqubit quantum logic operations through a set of two-qubit operations. The ideas presented here are applicable to various quantum computing proposals for atom based qubits such as, trapped ions, atoms trapped in optical cavities and optical lattices.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2005

The two electron molecular bond revisited: from Bohr orbits to two-center orbitals

In this review we first discuss extension of Bohr's 1913 molecular model and show that it corresponds to the large-D limit of a dimensional scaling (D-scaling) analysis, as developed by Herschbach and coworkers. In a separate but synergetic approach to the two-electron problem, we summarize recent advances in constructing analytical models for describing the two-electron bond. The emphasis here is not maximally attainable numerical accuracy, but beyond textbook accuracy as informed by physical insights. We demonstrate how the interplay of the cusp condition, the asymptotic condition, the electron-correlation, configuration interaction, and the exact one electron two-center orbitals, can produce energy results approaching chemical accuracy. Reviews of more traditional calculational approaches, such as Hartree-Fock, are also given. The inclusion of electron correlation via Hylleraas type functions is well known to be important, but difficult to implement for more than two electrons. The use of the D-scaled Bohr model offers the tantalizing possibility of obtaining electron correlation energy in a non-traditional way.

physics.chem-ph↗
arXiv2005

Bohr's 1913 molecular model revisited

It is generally believed that the old quantum theory, as presented by Niels Bohr in 1913, fails when applied to few electron systems, such as the H2 molecule. Here we find new solutions within the Bohr theory that describe the potential energy curve for the lowest singlet and triplet states of H2 about as well as the early wave mechanical treatment of Heitler and London. We also develop a new interpolation scheme which substantially improves the agreement with the exact ground state potential curve of H2 and provides a good description of more complicated molecules such as LiH, Li2, BeH and He2.

physics.chem-ph↗
arXiv2005

A simple and surprisingly accurate approach to the chemical bond obtained from dimensional scaling

We present a new dimensional scaling transformation of the Schrodinger equation for the two electron bond. This yields, for the first time, a good description of the two electron bond via D-scaling. There also emerges, in the large-D limit, an intuitively appealing semiclassical picture, akin to a molecular model proposed by Niels Bohr in 1913. In this limit, the electrons are confined to specific orbits in the scaled space, yet the uncertainty principle is maintained because the scaling leaves invariant the position-momentum commutator. A first-order perturbation correction, proportional to 1/D, substantially improves the agreement with the exact ground state potential energy curve. The present treatment is very simple mathematically, yet provides a strikingly accurate description of the potential energy curves for the lowest singlet, triplet and excited states of H_2. We find the modified D-scaling method also gives good results for other molecules. It can be combined advantageously with Hartree-Fock and other conventional methods.

physics.chem-ph↗
arXiv2004

Quantum electrodynamics of accelerated atoms in free space and in confined cavities

We consider a gedanken experiment with a beam of atoms in their ground state that are accelerated through a single-mode microwave cavity. We show that taking into account of the ''counter-rotating'' terms in the interaction Hamiltonian leads to the excitation of an atom with simultaneous emission of a photon into a field mode. In the case of a slow switching on of the interaction, the ratio of emission and absorption probabilities is exponentially small and is described by the Unruh factor. In the opposite case of sharp cavity boundaries the above ratio is much greater and radiation is produced with an intensity which can exceed the intensity of Unruh acceleration radiation in free space by many orders of magnitude. In both cases real photons are produced, contrary to the opinion that a uniformly accelerated atom does not radiate. The cavity field at steady state is described by a thermal density matrix. However, under some conditions laser gain is possible. We present a detailed discussion of how the acceleration of atoms affects the generated cavity field in different situations, progressing from a simple physical picture of Unruh radiation to more complicated situations.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2004

Time and Ensemble Averages in Bohmian Mechanics

We show that in the framework of one-dimensional Bohmian Quantum Mechanics[1], for a particle subject to a potential undergoing a weak adiabatic change, the time averages of the particle's positions typically differ markedly from the ensemble averages. We Apply this result to the case where the weak perturbing potential is the back-action of a measuring device (i.e. a protective measurement). It is shown that under these conditions, most trajectories never cross the position measured (as already shown for a particular example in [3]).

quant-ph↗
arXiv2004

Thermodynamic and noise considerations for the detection of microscopic particles in a gas by Photoacoustic Raman spectroscopy

We develop a simple thermodynamic model to describe the heat transfer mechanisms and generation of acoustic waves in photoacoustic Raman spectroscopy by small particulate suspensions in a gas. Using Langevin methods to describe the thermal noise we study the signal and noise properties, and from the noise equivalent power we determine the minimum number density of the suspended particles that can be detected. We find that for some relevant cases, as few as 100 particles per cubic meter can be detected.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2003

Enhancing Acceleration Radiation from Ground-State Atoms via Cavity Quantum Electrodynamics

When ground state atoms are accelerated through a high Q microwave cavity, radiation is produced with an intensity which can exceed the intensity of Unruh acceleration radiation in free space by many orders of magnitude. The cavity field at steady state is described by a thermal density matrix under most conditions. However, under some conditions gain is possible, and when the atoms are injected in a regular fashion, the radiation can be produced in a squeezed state.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2001

Narrowing of EIT resonance in a Doppler Broadened Medium

We derive an analytic expression for the linewidth of EIT resonance in a Doppler broadened system. It is shown here that for relatively low intensity of the driving field the EIT linewidth is proportional to the square root of intensity and is independent of the Doppler width, similar to the laser induced line narrowing effect by Feld and Javan. In the limit of high intensity we recover the usual power broadening case where EIT linewidth is proportional to the intensity and inversely proportional to the Doppler width.

physics.atom-ph↗
arXiv2001

Improving the Efficiency of an Ideal Heat Engine: The Quantum Afterburner

By using a laser and maser in tandem, it is possible to obtain laser action in the hot exhaust gases involved in heat engine operation. Such a "quantum afterburner" involves the internal quantum states of working gas atoms or molecules as well as the techniques of cavity quantum electrodynamics and is therefore in the domain of quantum thermodynamics. As an example, it is shown that Otto cycle engine performance can be improved beyond that of the "ideal" Otto heat engine.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2001

Broadband optical gain via interference in the free electron laser: principles and proposed realizations

We propose experimentally simplified schemes of an optically dispersive interface region between two coupled free electron lasers (FELs), aimed at achieving a much broader gain bandwidth than in a conventional FEL or a conventional optical klystron composed of two separated FELs. The proposed schemes can {\it universally} enhance the gain of FELs, regardless of their design when operated in the short pulsed regime.

physics.optics↗
arXiv2000

Freezing Light via hot gases

We prove that it is possible to freeze a light pulse (i.e., to bring it to a full stop) or even to make its group velocity negative in a coherently driven Doppler broadened atomic medium via electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT). This remarkable phenomenon of the ultra-slow EIT polariton is based on the spatial dispersion of the refraction index $n(\w,k)$, i.e., its wavenumber dependence, which is due to atomic motion and provides a negative contribution to the group velocity. This is related to, but qualitatively different from, the recently observed light slowing caused by large temporal (frequency) dispersion.

quant-ph↗
arXiv1999

On mechanisms that enforce complementarity

In a recent publication Luis and Sanchez-Soto arrive at the conclusion that complementarity is universally enforced by random classical phase kicks. We disagree. One could just as well argue that quantum entanglement is the universal mechanism. Both claims of universality are unjustified, however.

quant-ph↗
arXiv1999

Ultra-Slow Light and Enhanced Nonlinear Optical Effects in a Coherently Driven Hot Atomic Gas

We report the observation of small group velocities of order 90 meters per second, and large group delays of greater than 0.26 ms, in an optically dense hot rubidium gas (~360 K). Media of this kind yield strong nonlinear interactions between very weak optical fields, and very sharp spectral features. The result is in agreement with previous studies on nonlinear spectroscopy of dense coherent media.

quant-ph↗