Year: 1999
Type: preprint
Abstract: We simulate the center of mass motion of cold atoms in a standing, amplitude modulated, laser field as an example of a system that has a classical mixed phase-space. We show a simple model to explain the momentum distribution of the atoms taken after any distinct number of modulation cycles. The peaks corresponding to a classical resonance move towards smaller velocities in comparison to the velocities of the classical resonances. We explain this by showing that, for a wave packet on the classical resonances, we can replace the complicated dynamics in the quantum Liouville equation in phase-space by the classical dynamics in a modified potential. Therefore we can describe the quantum mechanical motion of a wave packet on a classical resonance by a purely classical motion.
Source: arXiv (Cornell University)
Authors: Hug, M., Milburn, G. J.
Institution: The University of Queensland
Language: English
Subfield: Statistical and Nonlinear Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2950215152