Year: 2002
Type: article
Abstract: We study the influence of damping on quantum interference of a particle in free space and in a harmonic potential. Using the influence-functional method, it is shown that the suppression of quantum interference is described by the ratio of the thermal diffusion induced by the environment to the quantum-mechanical diffusion. We describe the interference pattern as a function of the friction constant and the temperature, and discuss the difference between the strong damping limit and the classical limit.
Source: Progress of Theoretical Physics
DOI: 10.1143/ptp.107.889
Authors: S. Ohtsuka, S. Kurihara
Institution: Waseda University
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W1968065868