On the conformally coupled scalar field quantum cosmology

We propose a new initial condition for the homogeneous and isotropic quantum cosmology, where the source of the gravitational field is a conformally coupled scalar field, and the maximally symmetric hypersurfaces have positive curvature. After solving corresponding Wheeler–DeWitt equation, we obtain exact solutions in both classical and quantum levels. We propose appropriate initial condition for the wave packets which results in a complete classical and quantum correspondence. These wave packets closely follow the classical trajectories and peak on them. We also quantify this correspondence using de Broglie–Bohm interpretation of quantum mechanics. Using this proposal, the quantum potential vanishes along the Bohmian paths and the classical and Bohmian trajectories coincide with each other. We show that the model contains singularities even at the quantum level. Therefore, the resulting wave packets closely follow the classical trajectories from big-bang to big-crunch.     

Comprehensive solution to the cosmological constant,zero-point energy,and quantum gravity problems

We present a solution to the cosmological constant, the zero-point energy, and the quantum gravity problems within a single comprehensive framework. We show that in quantum theories of gravity in which the zero-point energy density of the gravitational field is well-defined, the cosmological constant and zero-point energy problems solve each other by mutual cancellation between the cosmological constant and the matter and gravitational field zero-point energy densities. Because of this cancellation, regulation of the matter field zero-point energy density is not needed, and thus does not cause any trace anomaly to arise. We exhibit our results in two theories of gravity that are well-defined quantum-mechanically. Both of these theories are locally conformal invariant, quantum Einstein gravity in two dimensions and Weyl-tensor-based quantum conformal gravity in four dimensions (a fourth-order derivative quantum theory of the type that Bender and Mannheim have recently shown to be ghost-free and unitary). Central to our approach is the requirement that any and all departures of the geometry from Minkowski are to be brought about by quantum mechanics alone. Consequently, there have to be no fundamental classical fields, and all mass scales have to be generated by dynamical condensates. In such a situation the trace of the matter field energy-momentum tensor is zero, a constraint that obliges its cosmological constant and zero-point contributions to cancel each other identically, no matter how large they might be. In our approach quantization of the gravitational field is caused by its coupling to quantized matter fields, with the gravitational field not needing any independent quantization of its own. With there being no a priori classical curvature, one does not have to make it compatible with quantization.     

Quark pair creation in color electric fields and effects of magnetic fields

The time evolution of a system where a uniform and classical SU(3) color electric field and quantum fields of quarks interact with each other is studied focusing on non-perturbative pair creation and its back reaction. We characterize a color direction of an electric field in a gauge invariant way, and investigate its dependence. Momentum distributions of created quarks show plasma oscillation as well as quantum effects such as the Pauli blocking and interference. Pressure of the system is also calculated, and we show that pair creation moderates degree of anisotropy of pressure. Furthermore, enhancement of pair creation and induction of chiral charge under a color magnetic field which is parallel to an electric field are discussed.     

Two interacting spins in external fields and application to quantum computation

We study the four-level-system given by two quantum dots immersed in a time-dependent magnetic field, which are coupled to each other by an effective Heisenberg-type interaction. We describe the construction of the corresponding evolution operator in a special case of different time-dependent parallel external magnetic fields. We find a relation between the external field and the effective interaction function. The obtained results are used to analyze the theoretical implementation of a universal quantum gate.     

Dynamics of virtual bosons created by classical and quantum sources

We use the Yukawa model of interacting photons and fermions to study the dynamics of the creation of a virtual photon cloud around a spatially localized bare fermion. The temporal evolution of the photons’ spatial probability density is characterized by three stages, the shape-invariant growth, the spreading, and finally the formation of a steady state. Exactly half of the total number of created photons escape irreversibly while the other half remains in the vicinity of the fermion. For the special case of an infinitely narrow fermion distribution the product of the fermionic field operators in the interaction Hamiltonian can be replaced by a simple classical mechanical density, thus eliminating all fermionic degrees of freedom. We examine the effects of quantum mechanics on the total number of photons created by a spatially extended fermion.     

Signatures for a classical to quantum transition of a driven nonlinear nanomechanical resonator

We seek the first indications that a nanoelectromechanical system (NEMS) is entering the quantum domain as its mass and temperature are decreased. We find them by studying the transition from classical to quantum behavior of a driven nonlinear Duffing resonator. Numerical solutions of the equations of motion, operating in the bistable regime of the resonator, demonstrate that the quantum Wigner function gradually deviates from the corresponding classical phase-space probability density. These clear differences that develop due to nonlinearity can serve as experimental signatures, in the near future, that NEMS resonators are entering the quantum domain.     

An Exact and Practical Classical Strategy for 2D Graph State Sampling

Constant-depth quantum circuits that prepare and measure graph states on 2D grids are proved to possess a computational quantum advantage over their classical counterparts due to quantum nonlocality and are also well suited for demonstrations on current superconducting quantum processor architectures. To simulate the partial or full sampling of 2D graph states, a practical two-stage classical strategy that can exactly generate any number of samples (bit strings) from such circuits is proposed. The strategy is inspired by exploiting specific properties of a hidden linear function problem solved by the target quantum circuit, which in particular combines traditional classical parallel algorithms and an explicit gate-based constant-depth classical circuit together. A theoretical analysis reveals that on average each sample can be obtained in nearly constant time for sampling specific circuit instances of large size. Moreover, the feasibility of the theoretical model is demonstrated by implementing typical instances up to 25 qubits on a moderate field programmable gate array platform. Therefore, the strategy can be used as a practical tool for verifying experimental results obtained from shallow quantum circuits of this type.     

Switching from positive to negative absorption with electromagnetically induced transparency in circuit quantum electrodynamics

We present a theoretical study of electromagnetically induced transparency(EIT) in a superconducting quantum circuit with a tunable V-shaped energy spectrum derived from two superconducting Josephson charge qubits coupled with each other through a superconducting quantum interference device. Using the density matrix formalism and the steady-state approximation, we obtain the analytical expressions of the first-order matrix element associated with the absorption and dispersion of the probe field for two different V-type schemes. Our results show that, for this superconducting quantum system, it is possible to realize a remarkable phenomenon that dynamic conversion between EIT and EIT with amplification without population inversion. Such a unique optical feature has potential applications in quantum optical devices and quantum information processing.     

Limitations of the strong field approximation in ionization of the hydrogen atom by ultrashort pulses

We present a theoretical study of the ionization of hydrogen atoms as a result of the interaction with an ultrashort external electric field. Doubly-differential momentum distributions and angular momentum distributions of ejected electrons calculated in the framework of the Coulomb-Volkov and strong field approximations, as well as classical calculations are compared with the exact solution of the time dependent Schr ödinger equation. We show that in the impulsive limit, the Coulomb-Volkov distorted wave theory reproduces the exact solution. The validity of the strong field approximation is probed both classically and quantum mechanically. We found that classical mechanics describes the proper quantum momentum distributions of the ejected electrons right after a sudden momentum transfer, however pronounced the differences at latter stages that arise during the subsequent electron-nucleus interaction. Although the classical calculations reproduce the quantum momentum distributions, it fails to describe properly the angular momentum distributions, even in the limit of strong fields. The origin of this failure can be attributed to the difference between quantum and classical initial spatial distributions.     

Coherent Interband and Intersubband Dynamics in Terahertz-Driven GaAs Quantum Wells

We theoretically investigate the optical absorption spectra and charge density by subjecting a GaAs quantum well to both an intense terahertz (THz)-frequency driving field and an optical pulse within the theory of density matrix. In presence of a strong THz field, the optical transitions in quantum well subbands are altered by the THz field. The alteration has a direct impact on the optical absorption and the charge density. The excitonic peak splitting and THz optical sideband in the absorption spectra show up when changing the THz field intensity and/or frequency. The Autler-Towns splitting is a result from the THz nonlinear dynamics of confined excitons. On the other hand, the carrier charge density is created as wave packets formed by coherent superposition of several eigenstates. The charge density exhibitsquantum beats for short pulses and/or wider wells and is modulated by the THz field.     

Ursell operators in statistical physics of dense systems: the role of high order operators and of exchange cycles

The purpose of this article is to discuss cluster expansions in dense quantum systems, as well as their interconnection with exchange cycles. We show in general how the Ursell operators of order l≥ 3 contribute to an exponential which corresponds to a mean-field energy involving the second operator U₂, instead of the potential itself as usual - in other words, the mean-field correction is expressed in terms of a modification of a local Boltzmann equilibrium. In a first part, we consider classical statistical mechanics and recall the relation between the reducible part of the classical cluster integrals and the mean-field; we introduce an alternative method to obtain the linear density contribution to the mean-field, which is based on the notion of tree-diagrams and provides a preview of the subsequent quantum calculations. We then proceed to study quantum particles with Boltzmann statistics (distinguishable particles) and show that each Ursell operator U_n with n≥ 3 contains a “tree-reducible part”, which groups naturally with U₂ through a linear chain of binary interactions; this part contributes to the associated mean-field experienced by particles in the fluid. The irreducible part, on the other hand, corresponds to the effects associated with three (or more) particles interacting all together at the same time. We then show that the same algebra holds in the case of Fermi or Bose particles, and discuss physically the role of the exchange cycles, combined with interactions. Bose condensed systems are not considered at this stage. The similarities and differences between Boltzmann and quantum statistics are illustrated by this approach, in contrast with field theoretical or Green's functions methods, which do not allow a separate study of the role of quantum statistics and dynamics. Received 18 October 2001     

Quantum Key Distribution in Large Scale Quantum Network Assisted by Classical Routing Information

Recently, small-scale Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) networks have been demonstrated and continuously operated in field environment. However, nodes of these QKD networks are less than 10 nodes. When the scale and structure of these networks becomes large and complex, such networks will subject to problem of intractable routing selection and limited transmission distance. We present a novel quantum network model and the corresponding protocol to solve these problems. The proposed quantum network model integrates classical communication network with quantum key distribution layer. Nodes in this quantum network model are divided into communication nodes for classical communication and quantum nodes for quantum key distribution. We use atomic ensembles to create entangled photons inside quantum nodes. Quantum repeaters are used to establish entanglement between remote quantum nodes so the maximum distribution distance of entangled photons can be extended. The main idea is to establish an appropriate key distribution path in the quantum key distribution layer based on the routing information obtained by the upper classical communication network. After the entanglement has been established between remote quantum nodes, these nodes will use the Ekert91 or BBM92 protocol to generate secret keys shared between each other. Then, these keys can be used to ensure the security of communication in the classical communication network.     

Quantum mechanisms of density wave transport

We report on new developments in the quantum picture of correlated electron transport in charge and spin density waves. The model treats the condensate as a quantum fluid in which charge soliton domain wall pairs nucleate above a Coulomb blockade threshold field. We employ a time-correlated soliton tunneling model, analogous to the theory of time-correlated single electron tunneling, to interpret the voltage oscillations and nonlinear current-voltage characteristics above threshold. An inverse scaling relationship between threshold field and dielectric response, originally proposed by Grüner, emerges naturally from the model. Flat dielectric and other ac responses below threshold in NbSe₃ and TaS₃, as well as small density wave phase displacements, indicate that the measured threshold is often much smaller than the classical depinning field. In some materials, the existence of two distinct threshold fields suggests that both soliton nucleation and classical depinning may occur. In our model, the ratio of electrostatic charging to pinning energy helps determine whether soliton nucleation or classical depinning dominates.     

Laser Controlling Wavepacket Trains of a Paul Trapped Ion

We have studied the quantum and classical motions of a single Paul trapped ion interacting with a time-periodic laser field. By using the test-function method, we construct n exact solutions of quantum dynamics that describe the generalized squeezed coherent states with the expectation orbits being the corresponding classical ones. The space-time evolutions of the exact probability densities show some wavepacket trains. It is demonstrated analytically that by adjusting the laser intensity and frequency, we can control the center motions of the wavepacket trains. We also discuss the other physical properties such as the expectation value of energy, the widths and heights of the wavepackets, and the resonance loss of stability.     

Dynamics of quantum discord in two Tavis-Cummings models with classical driving fields

We investigate the dynamics of quantum discord in a system consisting of two Tavis-Cummings models, each of which contains two atoms driven by a classical field. We compare the dynamics of quantum discord for the system with that of entanglement and show that quantum discord vanishes only asymptotically although entanglement disappears suddenly during the time evolution. Furthermore, we examine the influence of the initial states and the classical field on the discord dynamics and find that the value of quantum discord can be improved by adjusting the classical driving field. Finally, the quantum discord of two atoms in dissipative cavity is also discussed.     

Pairwise correlations in a three-partite quantum system from a prequantum random field

Prequantum classical statistical field theory (PCSFT) is a model that provides the possibility to represent the averages of quantum observables (including correlations of observables on subsystems of a composite system) as averages with respect to fluctuations of classical random fields. In view of the PCSFT terminology, quantum states are classical random fields. The aim of our approach is to represent all quantum probabilistic quantities by means of classical random fields. We obtain the classical-random-field representation for pairwise correlations in three-partite quantum systems. The three-partite case (surprisingly) differs substantially from the bipartite case. As an important first step, we generalized the theory developed for pure quantum states of bipartite systems to the states given by density operators.     

Correlations in classical and quantum systems far from thermal equilibrium

We consider classical systems described by a Fokker-Planck equation or a generalized Fokker-Planck equation and quantum systems described by a density matrix equation or by a generalized Fokker-Planck equation using the principle of quantum classical correspondence. We split the corresponding operators of the equation of motion into a part which refers to the proper system and another one which describes the coupling of the proper system to the external world (reservoirs). We demonstrate that by use of conservation laws, referring to the proper systems, exact relations hold for certain moments, valid for all temperatures and coupling constants of the reservoirs. Using the concepts of a previous paper we describe then a perturbation theoretical approach which allows in a simple manner to determine a number of important correlation functions (moments of the total system). The time dependent case is briefly discussed. The applicability and usefulness of the present procedure is demonstrated by the example of the single-mode laser yielding e.g. expressions for the atom-field correlation.     

Intrinsic Entropy of Squeezed Quantum Fields and Nonequilibrium Quantum Dynamics of Cosmological Perturbations

Density contrasts in the universe are governed by scalar cosmological perturbations which, when expressed in terms of gauge-invariant variables, contain a classical component from scalar metric perturbations and a quantum component from inflaton field fluctuations. It has long been known that the effect of cosmological expansion on a quantum field amounts to squeezing. Thus, the entropy of cosmological perturbations can be studied by treating them in the framework of squeezed quantum systems. Entropy of a free quantum field is a seemingly simple yet subtle issue. In this paper, different from previous treatments, we tackle this issue with a fully developed nonequilibrium quantum field theory formalism for such systems. We compute the covariance matrix elements of the parametric quantum field and solve for the evolution of the density matrix elements and the Wigner functions, and, from them, derive the von Neumann entropy. We then show explicitly why the entropy for the squeezed yet closed system is zero, but is proportional to the particle number produced upon coarse-graining out the correlation between the particle pairs. We also construct the bridge between our quantum field-theoretic results and those using the probability distribution of classical stochastic fields by earlier authors, preserving some important quantum properties, such as entanglement and coherence, of the quantum field.