English

Quantum gears: a simple mechanical system in the quantum regime

Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics 2009-11-07 v2

Abstract

The quantum mechanics of a simple mechanical system is considered. A group of gears can serve as a model for several different systems such as an artifically constructed nanomechanical device or a group of ring molecules. It is shown that the classical motion of the gears in which the angular velocities are locked together does not correspond to a solution of the quantum problem. The general solution for several gears is discussed and the correspondence to the classical behaviour established.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.cond-mat/0205647,
  title  = {Quantum gears: a simple mechanical system in the quantum regime},
  author = {Angus MacKinnon},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:cond-mat/0205647},
  year   = {2009}
}

Comments

4 pages, no figures

R2 v1 2026-07-22T10:37:37.355Z