2024-03-29T15:28:32Zhttps://uvadoc.uva.es/oai/requestoai:uvadoc.uva.es:10324/384712023-07-24T07:19:25Zcom_10324_38col_10324_787
Resonant van-der-Waals Interaction: net harmonic force on a two-atom system
Sánchez Cánovas, Julio
Donaire del Yerro, Manuel Antonio
Universidad de Valladolid. Facultad de Ciencias
We perform a time-dependent quantum computation of the van der Waals interaction between two free identical atoms, one of which is initially excited. Making use of the perturbative
approach developed in Refs. It is shown that, in addition to an off-resonant interaction force
between the two atoms, the two-atom system is subjected to a net force which oscillates
periodically in time. We prove that the apparently missing momentum is carried by the resonant
photons which mediate the periodic transfer of the excitation between the atoms, guaranteeing this
way the satisfaction of the action-reaction principle in the quantum realm. Remarkably, since
mediating photons remain virtual throughout the process, their momentum is virtual and thus
unaccessible experimentally. Ultimately, as the de-excitation of the system takes place, that
momentum turns into actual when carried off by the real photon which is emitted spontaneously.
Hence, the directionality of such an emission constitutes a vestige of the net force acting upon
the two-atom system while excited.
2019-10-09T15:37:12Z
2019-10-09T15:37:12Z
2019
2024-07-31
info:eu-repo/semantics/masterThesis
http://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/38471
eng
info:eu-repo/semantics/embargoedAccess
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 Internacional