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Published on: November 11, 2013
Quantum coherence of a circularly accelerated atom in a spacetime with a reflecting boundary
Wanhe Zhang1, Xiaobao Liu2, Tingli Yang3
1Department of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Liupanshui Normal University, Liupanshui, 553004, Guizhou, China.
Abstract:
We investigate, in the paradigm of open quantum systems, the dynamics of quantum coherence of a circularly accelerated atom coupled to a bath of vacuum fluctuating massless scalar field in a spacetime with a reflecting boundary. The master equation that governs the system evolution is derived. Our results show that in the case without a boundary, the vacuum fluctuations and centripetal acceleration will always cause the quantum coherence to decrease. However, with the presence of a boundary, the quantum fluctuations of the scalar field are modified, which makes that quantum coherence could be enhanced as compared to that in the case without a boundary. Particularly, when the atom is very close to the boundary, although the atom still interacts with the environment, it behaves as if it were a closed system and quantum coherence can be shielded from the effect of the vacuum fluctuating scalar field.
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