Interaction induced localization in a gas of pyramidal molecules

We propose a model to describe a gas of pyramidal molecules interacting via dipole-dipole interactions. The interaction modifies the tunneling properties between the classical equilibrium configurations of the single molecule and, for sufficiently high pressure, the molecules become localized in these classical configurations. We explain quantitatively, without free parameters, the shift to zero frequency of the inversion line observed upon increase of the pressure in a gas of ammonia or deuterated ammonia. For sufficiently high pressures, our model suggests the existence of a super-selection rule for states of different chirality in substituted derivatives.     

On the restoration of Auger line shapes

A simple and efficient method to deduce the true Auger spectrum from the raw data is presented. This method is an application to Auger spectroscopy derived from signal processing procedures employed in different fields. It appears particularly promising when complex spectra are analyzed as it avoids spurious information to be introduced. The method is also compared with the more-standard van Cittert's approach. An experimental check of the common assumption that an Auger electron experiences almost the same energy-loss mechanisms as a nearly elastically reflected primary electron at the same energy is given.     

Continuous measurements in quantum systems

During a continuous measurement, quantum systems can be described by a stochastic Schrödinger equation which, in the appropriate limit, reproduces the von Neumann wave-function collapse. The average behavior on the ensemble of all measurement results is described by a master equation obtained from a general model of measurement apparatus consisting of an infinite set of degrees of freedom linearly interacting with the measured system and in contact with a reservoir at high temperature.     

Reaching fermi degeneracy in two-species optical dipole traps

We propose the use of a combined optical dipole trap to achieve Fermi degeneracy by sympathetic cooling with a different bosonic species. Two far-detuned pairs of laser beams focused on the atomic clouds are used to confine the two atomic species with different trapping strengths. We show that a deep Fermi degeneracy regime can be potentially achieved earlier than Bose-Einstein condensation, as discussed in the favorable situation of a 6Li-23Na mixture. This opens up the possibility of experimentally investigating a mixture of superfluid Fermi and normal Bose gases.     

Quantum breaking time near classical equilibrium points

In the evolution of distributions localized around classical equilibrium points, the quantum-classical correspondence breaks down at a time, the so-called quantum breaking, or Ehrenfest time, which is related to the minimal separation of the quantum levels in proximity of the classical equilibrium energy. By studying one-dimensional systems with single- and double-well polynomial potentials, we find that the Ehrenfest time diverges logarithmically with the inverse of the Planck constant whenever the equilibrium point is exponentially unstable. In all the other cases, we have a power law divergence with the exponent determined by the degree of the potential near the equilibrium point.