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Experimental evidence for the role of cantori as barriers in a quantum system

Quantum Physics 2009-10-31 v1

Abstract

We investigate the effect of cantori on momentum diffusion in a quantum system. Ultracold caesium atoms are subjected to a specifically designed periodically pulsed standing wave. A cantorus separates two chaotic regions of the classical phase space. Diffusion through the cantorus is classically predicted. Quantum diffusion is only significant when the classical phase-space area escaping through the cantorus per period greatly exceeds Planck's constant. Experimental data and a quantum analysis confirm that the cantori act as barriers.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.quant-ph/9902025,
  title  = {Experimental evidence for the role of cantori as barriers in a quantum system},
  author = {K. M. D. Vant and G. H. Ball and H. Ammann and N. L. Christensen},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:quant-ph/9902025},
  year   = {2009}
}

Comments

19 pages including 9 figures, Accepted for publication in Physical Review E in March 1999