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Laser-induced spatial symmetry breaking in quantum and classical mechanics
1Chemical Physics Theory Group, Department of Chemistry, and Center for Quantum Information and Quantum Control, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3H6, Canada.
Physical Review Letters
|August 16, 2006
Summary
Quantum and classical phase-controllable transport in symmetric systems originate from field-driven interference. This study examines the quantum-to-classical transition in symmetry breaking for a laser-driven quartic oscillator, revealing interference
Area of Science:
- Quantum mechanics
- Classical mechanics
- Laser physics
Background:
- Spatially symmetric systems exhibit phase-controllable transport.
- Laser irradiation can induce symmetry breaking.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the quantum-to-classical transition in symmetry breaking.
- Identify the mechanism behind phase-controllable transport.
Main Methods:
- Double perturbation theory in anharmonicity and field strength.
- Analysis in the Heisenberg picture.
- Study of a quartic oscillator driven by an omega+2omega field.
Main Results:
- A common field-driven interference mechanism underlies both quantum and classical transport.
- Symmetry-breaking interferences persist into the classical limit.
- These interferences enable classical control of transport.
Conclusions:
- The study elucidates the origin of classical control in laser-driven systems.
- Distinguishes the roles of reflection symmetry and parity.
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