PhysRevA.100.042102.pdf (3.84 MB)
Visualizing spin degrees of freedom in atoms and molecules
journal contribution
posted on 2019-10-04, 11:19 authored by Benjamin Davies, Russell Rundle, Vincent Dwyer, John Samson, Todd Tilma, Mark EverittMark EverittIn this work we show how constructing Wigner functions of heterogeneous quantum systems leads to new capability in the visualization of quantum states of atoms and molecules. This method allows us to display quantum correlations (entanglement) between spin and spatial degrees of freedom (spin-orbit coupling) and between spin degrees of freedom, as well as more complex combinations of spin and spatial entanglement. This is important as there is growing recognition that such properties affect the physical characteristics, and chemistry, of atoms and molecules. Our visualizations are sufficiently accessible that, with some preparation, those with a nontechnical background can gain an appreciation of subtle quantum properties of atomic and other systems. By providing insights and modeling capability, our phase-space representation will be of great utility in understanding aspects of atomic physics and chemistry not available with current techniques.
Funding
EP/N509516/1
DTP 2016-2017 Loughborough University
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
Find out more...JSPS KAKENHI (C) Grant No. JP17K05569
History
School
- Science
Department
- Physics
Published in
Physical Review AVolume
100Issue
4Pages
1-9Publisher
American Physical Society (APS)Version
- VoR (Version of Record)
Rights holder
© the authorsPublisher statement
Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article’s title, journal citation, and DOI.Acceptance date
2019-04-30Publication date
2019-10-01Copyright date
2019ISSN
2469-9926eISSN
2469-9934Language
- en