Entropy Dynamics of Phonon Quantum States Generated by Optical Excitation of a Two-Level System

Hahn, T.; Wigger, D.; Kuhn, T.

Forschungsartikel (Zeitschrift) | Peer reviewed

Zusammenfassung

In quantum physics, two prototypical model systems stand out due to their wide range of applications. These are the two-level system (TLS) and the harmonic oscillator. The former is often an ideal model for confined charge or spin systems and the latter for lattice vibrations, i.e., phonons. Here, we couple these two systems, which leads to numerous fascinating physical phenomena. Practically, we consider different optical excitations and decay scenarios of a TLS, focusing on the generated dynamics of a single phonon mode that couples to the TLS. Special emphasis is placed on the entropy of the different parts of the system, predominantly the phonons. While, without any decay, the entire system is always in a pure state, resulting in a vanishing entropy, the complex interplay between the single parts results in non-vanishing respective entanglement entropies and non-trivial dynamics of them. Taking a decay of the TLS into account leads to a non-vanishing entropy of the full system and additional aspects in its dynamics. We demonstrate that all aspects of the entropy’s behavior can be traced back to the purity of the states and are illustrated by phonon Wigner functions in phase space.

Details zur Publikation

FachzeitschriftEntropy
Jahrgang / Bandnr. / Volume22
Artikelnummer286
StatusVeröffentlicht
Veröffentlichungsjahr2020
Sprache, in der die Publikation verfasst istEnglisch
DOI10.3390/e22030286
Link zum Volltexthttps://doi.org/10.3390/e22030286
StichwörterPhonons; Two-level system; Entropy; Wigner functions; Entanglement

Autor*innen der Universität Münster

Hahn, Thilo
Institut für Festkörpertheorie
Kuhn, Tilmann
Professur für Festkörpertheorie (Prof. Kuhn)
Wigger, Daniel
Professur für Festkörpertheorie (Prof. Kuhn)