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Thermalization Induced by Quantum Scattering

delete2021-04-30
delete13
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OA
AI
S
Samuel L. Jacob *
M
Massimiliano Esposito
J
Juan M. R. Parrondo
F
Felipe Barra
DOI:10.1103/PRXQuantum.2.020312delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
We use quantum scattering theory to study a fixed quantum system Y subject to collisions with massive particles X described by wave packets. We derive the scattering map for system Y and show that the induced evolution crucially depends on the width of the incident wave packets compared to the level spacing in Y. If Y is nondegenerate, sequential collisions with narrow wave packets cause Y to decohere. Moreover, an ensemble of narrow packets produced by thermal effusion causes Y to thermalize. On the other hand, broad wave packets can act as a source of coherences for Y, even in the case of an ensemble of incident wave packets given by the effusion distribution, preventing thermalization. We illustrate our findings on several simple examples and discuss the consequences of our results in realistic experimental situations.

Journal

P
PRX Quantum
IF:
11
Papers:
919
Citations:
9.0K

Organization

U
University of California Santa Barbara
Scholars:
1.2W
Papers: 9.6K
Citations: 3.6W
University of California System cover
University of California System
Scholars:
37.5W
Papers: 33.7W
Citations: 6.6K
U
university of luxembourg
Scholars:
5.2K
Papers: 4.8K
Citations: 4
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