Non-Classical Behavior of Atoms in an Interferometer |
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Authors: | Lepša Vušković Dušan Arsenović Mirjana Božić |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Physics, Old Dominion University, 4600 Elkhorn Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia, 23529;(2) Institute of Physics, P.O. Box 57, 11000 Belgrade, Yugoslavia |
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Abstract: | Using the time-dependent wave function we have studied the properties of the atomic transverse motion in an interferometer, and the cause of the non-classical behavior of atoms reported by Kurtsiefer, Pfau, and Mlynek Nature
386, 150 (1997)]. The transverse wave function is derived from the solution of the two-dimensional Schrödinger's equation, written in the form of the Fresnel–Kirchhoff diffraction integral. It is assumed that the longitudinal motion is classical. Comparing data of the space distribution and of the transverse momentum distribution in interferometers with one and two open slits, it follows that the atomic motion is influenced by the atomic matter wave and violates the laws of classical mechanics. However, the negative values of Wigner's function should not be taken as evidence that the atoms in an interferometer violate the classical statistical law of the addition of positive probabilities. This inference follows from the comparison of properties of Wigner's function and of the de Broglian probability density in phase space. |
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Keywords: | atomic interference compatible statistical interpretation (non)violation of the classical probability laws Wigner's function |
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