Decoherence in Excited Atoms by Low-Energy Scattering

Atoms

Diego A. Quiñones¹  Benjamin Varcoe¹ 

[1] Experimental Quantum Information Lab, E. C. Stoner Building, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK;

关键词: decoherence;    Rydberg atoms;    dark matter;    axions;   

DOI  :  10.3390/atoms4040028

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

We describe a new mechanism of decoherence in excited atoms as a result of thermal particles scattering by the atomic nucleus. It is based on the idea that a single scattering will produce a sudden displacement of the nucleus, which will be perceived by the electron in the atom as an instant shift in the electrostatic potential. This will leave the atom’s wave-function partially projected into lower-energy states, which will lead to decoherence of the atomic state. The decoherence is calculated to increase with the excitation of the atom, making observation of the effect easier in Rydberg atoms. We estimate the order of the decoherence for photons and massive particles scattering, analyzing several commonly presented scenarios. Our scheme can be applied to the detection of weakly-interacting particles, like those which may be the constituents of Dark Matter, the interaction of which was calculated to have a more prominent effect that the background radiation.

【 授权许可】

Unknown