Tunneling Theory for Tunable Open Quantum Systems of Ultracold Atoms in One-Dimensional Traps

Abstract

The creation of tunable open quantum systems is becoming feasible in current experiments with ultracold atoms in low-dimensional traps. In particular, the high degree of experimental control over these systems allows detailed studies of tunneling dynamics, e.g., as a function of the trapping geometry and the interparticle interaction strength. In order to address this exciting opportunity we present a theoretical framework for two-body tunneling based on the rigged Hilbert space formulation. In this approach, bound, resonant and scattering states are included on an equal footing, and we argue that the coupling of all these components is vital for a correct description of the relevant threshold phenomena. In particular, we study the tunneling mechanism for two-body systems in one-dimensional traps and different interaction regimes. We find a strong dominance of sequential tunneling of single particles for repulsive and weakly attractive systems, while there is a signature of correlated pair tunneling in the calculated many-particle flux for strongly attractive interparticle interaction.

To be published in Phys. Rev. A (Rapid Communication)

References in corpus (5)

• Shell Model in the Complex Energy Plane
• Density matrix renormalization group approach for many-body open quantum systems
• Two-proton radioactivity and three-body decay. III. Integral formulae for decay widths in a simplified semianalytical approach
• How does an interacting many-body system tunnel through a potential barrier to open space?
• Decay by tunneling of Bosonic and Fermionic Tonks-Girardeau Gases

Cited by in corpus (4)

• Nonexponential tunneling decay of a single ultracold atom
• Momentum correlations of a few ultra-cold bosons escaping from an open well
• Imaginary Time Mean-Field Method for Collective Tunneling
• Strongly interacting few-fermion systems in a trap