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Stochastic Variational Approach to Small Atoms and Molecules Coupled to Quantum Field Modes in Cavity QED
Alexander Ahrens1, Chenhang Huang1, Matt Beutel1
1Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|January 21, 2022
Summary
We developed a stochastic variational method (SVM) to accurately calculate quantum systems interacting with light. This approach precisely models light-matter interactions, revealing significant changes in electronic states for various systems.
Area of Science:
- Quantum Optics
- Computational Physics
- Quantum Chemistry
Background:
- Cavity Quantum Electrodynamics (CQED) studies light-matter interactions.
- Accurate calculations for few-particle systems are computationally demanding.
- Understanding light-matter coupling is crucial for quantum technologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a stochastic variational calculation (SVM) for few-particle systems coupled to quantum fields in CQED.
- To optimize spatial wave functions and photon spaces using random selection.
- To achieve high precision in modeling light-matter interactions.
Main Methods:
- Stochastic variational calculation (SVM) approach.
- Optimization of spatial and photon spaces via random selection.
- Utilized correlated basis functions for accurate problem-solving.
Main Results:
- SVM accurately calculates energies and wave functions for light-matter coupled systems.
- The method achieves precision comparable to non-light coupled systems.
- Demonstrated drastic changes in electronic states due to light-matter coupling for various examples.
Conclusions:
- The SVM is a powerful tool for studying quantum systems in CQED.
- Light-matter coupling significantly alters electronic properties.
- This method enables high-precision calculations for complex quantum phenomena.
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