Abstract
This paper considers the feasibility of creating dispersion-free solitary quantum-mechanical wave packets. The analysis is carried out within a general framework of quantum-optimal control theory. A key to the realization of solitary quantum wave packets is the ability to create traveling wave potentials U(x-νt) with coordinated space and time dependence where ν is a characteristic speed. As an illustration, the case of an atom translating in a designed optical trap is considered. Three examples are treated within this framework: (A) the motion of a dispersion-free traveling bound state, (B) feedback-stabilized solitonic motion, and (C) feedback-stabilized solitonic motion in the presence of auxiliary physical objectives. The quantum solitons of (B) and (C) satisfy a nonlinear Schrödinger-type equation with laboratory feedback in the form of an observation of the probability density. This feedback is essential for maintaining the solitonic-type motion. Some generalizations and potential applications of these concepts are also discussed.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 673-677 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Physical Review A - Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics |
Volume | 55 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1997 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics