Holography of wave packets

We describe the principles of holographic storage and reconstruction of ultrashort light pulses using spectrally nonselective media. This can be achieved by the application of a 3-D recording medium and by the holography of waves produced by spatial spectral decomposition of light pulses. We also describe various transformations of optical temporal signals based on holographic spectral filtering and nonlinear interaction of spectral decomposition waves.     

On the theory of wave packets

In this paper we discuss some aspects of the theory of wave packets. We consider a popular noncovariant Gaussian model used in various applications and show that it predicts too slow a longitudinal dispersion rate for relativistic particles. We revise this approach by considering a covariant model of Gaussian wave packets, and examine our results by inspecting a wave packet of arbitrary form. A general formula for the time dependence of the dispersion of a wave packet of arbitrary form is found. Finally, we give a transparent interpretation of the disappearance of the wave function over time due to the dispersion—a feature often considered undesirable, but which is unavoidable for wave packets. We find, starting from simple examples, proceeding with their generalizations and finally by considering the continuity equation, that the integral over time of both the flux and probability densities are asymptotically proportional to the factor 1/|x|² in the rest frame of the wave packet, just as in the case of an ensemble of classical particles.     

Nonspreading wave packets in quantum mechanics

In this paper a nonspreading, unnormalizable wave packet satisfying the Schrödinger equation is constructed. A modification of the Schrödinger equation is considered which allows the normalization of the wave packet. The case is generalized for relativistic mechanics.     

On a possibility for observing the neutron electric polarizability

A new method is proposed for setting a lower or upper limit a α _n * on the neutron electric polarizability α _an . It is based on the fact that the real part of the s-wave scattering amplitude changes sign near the s-wave neutron resonance at E=E*. The methods consist of the observation of the energy behavior of the forward-backward scattering asymmetry ω ₁ which experiences a jump at E=E*. If the jump is such that dω ₁/dE>0, then α _n >α _n *, while if dω ₁/dE<0, then α _n <α _n *, and if dω ₁/dE∼0, then α _n ∼α _n *. Seven even-even nuclei are found with α _n * from 0.5 to 3.1 in 10⁻³ fm³. Some details of a possible experiment with ¹⁸²W are described. Pis’ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 70, No. 3, 171–174 (10 August 1999) Published in English in the original Russian journal. Edited by Steve Torstveit.     

Creating and transporting Trojan wave packets

Nondispersive localized Trojan wave packets with n(i) ~ 305 moving in near-circular Bohr-like orbits are created and transported to localized near-circular Trojan states of higher n, n(f) ~ 600, by driving with a linearly polarized sinusoidal electric field whose period is slowly increased. The protocol is remarkably efficient with over 80% of the initial atoms being transferred to the higher n states, a result confirmed by classical trajectory Monte Carlo simulations.     

Resonant tunneling and spreading of wave packets

When a wave packet passes through a tunneling structure, the packet shape changes due to interaction with the potential of the structure. Simultaneously the pulse spreads because it contains waves that have different phase velocities and the tunneling is a long-term process. The effect of the spreading on the tunneling pulse shape is investigated analytically for packets with energy width much less than the width of the resonance. It is shown that whereas the tunneling process is a prolonged one, under certain conditions the effect of the spreading is negligible so that the changes of the packet shape are governed mainly by the resonant tunneling process.     

Generation of soliton-like wave packets and wave packets with linear phase modulation in gaining optical wave-guides with saturable nonlinearity

We have considered the dynamics of soliton-like pulses and stable frequency-modulated self-similar pulses in an active medium with saturable nonlinearity and a parabolic refractive-index profile. We show that, based on gaining gradient fibers with a parabolic distribution of the refractive index and saturable nonlinearity, it is possible to create complexes that ensure generation of laser pulses with a high (above 1 TW) peak power.     

Formation of wave packets in the ion acoustic turbulence

Formation and propagation of wave packets are observed in a current-driven ion acoustic turbulence by the microwave scattering method. The packet size is approximately equal to the group velocity divided by the frequency spread on the dispersion curve.     

On the possibility of observing ambipolar photoconductivity and its optical quenching in photoconductors

Based on a model with two types of recombination centers and one trapping center for electrons ambipolar photoconductivity can appear in crystals, in which the Fermi-level lies deep in the bandgap, in the neighborhood of the sensitizing centers. The effect of a long-wavelength irradiation on the ambipolar intrinsic photoconductivity is studied theoretically and as a result most quenching and enhancement properties, which are described in the first paper and observed experimentally on S-annealed ZnS crystals, are found again.     

Slowing down of the wave packets in quantum graphs

Necklace-type devices are studied, which are optical lines with periodically located segments replaced by two arches of different lengths. It is shown that one can choose parameters of the necklace in such a way that the dispersion relation for the whole line will be very flat in the neighbourhood of the prescribed frequency (although the corresponding band is not narrow). It is also shown that a finite piece of such a line creates a slowdown of wave packets without any significant loss of the energy due to the reflection.     

Slowing down of the wave packets in quantum graphs

Necklace-type devices are studied, which are optical lines with periodically located segments replaced by two arches of different lengths. It is shown that one can choose parameters of the necklace in such a way that the dispersion relation for the whole line will be very flat in the neighbourhood of the prescribed frequency (although the corresponding band is not narrow). It is also shown that a finite piece of such a line creates a slowdown of wave packets without any significant loss of the energy due to the reflection.     

Resonance-assisted decay of nondispersive wave packets

We present a quantitative semiclassical theory for the decay of nondispersive electronic wave packets in driven, ionizing Rydberg systems. Statistically robust quantities are extracted combining resonance-assisted tunneling with subsequent transport across chaotic phase space and a final ionization step.     

State reconstruction of one-dimensional wave packets

76 , 1985 (1996)] for quantum-state reconstruction of one-dimensional non-relativistic wave packets from position observations. We illuminate the theoretical background of the technique and show how to extend the procedure to the continuous part of the spectrum. Received: 7 July 1997     

Transverse compression of two-photon wave packets

A method for generating two-photon wave packets (biphotons) with a small width of the spatial intensity correlation function (correlation radius) has been considered. We propose to prepare a two-photon wave packet inhomogeneously broadened in the angle by means of spontaneous parametric down-conversion in an inhomogeneous crystal. Such biphotons are not diffraction limited; i.e., their correlation radius is much larger than the inverse width of the spatial spectrum. However, the correlation radius of such a biphoton decreases as the biphoton propagates in free space, and transverse compression occurs at a certain distance from the crystal; i.e., the biphoton becomes diffraction limited.     

Aperiodic behaviour of baroclinic wave packets

The amplitude evolution equation for weakly non-linear wave packets in a continuously stratified and sheared baroclinic flow, in which both dissipation and dispersion effects are strong, is shown to be the generalised time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau equation. This equation possesses both periodic and aperiodic solutions, depending critically on parameter values.     

Realization of localized Bohr-like wave packets

We demonstrate a protocol to create localized wave packets in very-high-n Rydberg states which travel in nearly circular orbits around the nucleus. Although these wave packets slowly dephase and eventually lose their localization, their motion can be monitored over several orbital periods. These wave packets represent the closest analog yet achieved to the original Bohr model of the hydrogen atom, i.e., an electron in a circular classical orbit around the nucleus. The possible extension of the approach to create "planetary atoms" in highly correlated stable multiply excited states is discussed.