English

Dirac quantum time mirror

Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics 2018-01-10 v2 Quantum Physics

Abstract

Both metaphysical and practical considerations related to time inversion have intrigued scientists for generations. Physicists have strived to devise and implement time-inversion protocols, in particular different forms of "time mirrors" for classical waves. Here we propose an instantaneous time mirror for quantum systems, i.e., a controlled time discontinuity generating wave function echoes with high fidelities. This concept exploits coherent particle-hole oscillations in a Dirac spectrum in order to achieve population reversal, and can be implemented in systems such as (real or artificial) graphene.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1603.07503,
  title  = {Dirac quantum time mirror},
  author = {Phillipp Reck and Cosimo Gorini and Arseni Goussev and Viktor Krueckl and Mathias Fink and Klaus Richter},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1603.07503},
  year   = {2018}
}

Comments

Extended discussion of the Dirac time mirror, in form accepted for publication in PRB (8 pages, 3 figures, 1 video in Suppl. Mat.). The non-linear time reversal protocol was removed, and its discussion will appear in modified form as another standalone arXiv entry

R2 v1 2026-06-22T13:17:48.340Z