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Quantum dynamics of a particle with a spin-dependent velocity

Claude Aslangul

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We study the dynamics of a particle in continuous time and space, the displacement of which is governed by an internal degree of freedom (spin). In one definite limit, the so-called quantum random walk is recovered but, although quite simple, the model possesses a rich variety of dynamics and goes far beyond this problem. Generally speaking, our framework can describe the motion of an electron in a magnetic sea near the Fermi level when linearization of the dispersion law is possible, coupled to a transverse magnetic field. Quite unexpected behaviours are obtained. In particular, we find that when the initial wave packet is fully localized in space, the Jz angular momentum component is frozen; this is an interesting example of an observable which, although it is not a constant of motion, has a constant expectation value. For a non-completely localized wave packet, the effect still occurs although less pronounced, and the spin keeps for ever memory of its initial state. Generally speaking, as time goes on, the spatial density profile looks rather complex, as a consequence of the competition between drift and precession, and displays various shapes according to the ratio between the Larmor period and the characteristic time of flight. The density profile gradually changes from a multimodal quickly moving distribution when the scattering rate is small, to a unimodal standing but flattening distribution in the opposite case.


PACS

03.67.Lx Quantum computation architectures and implementations

05.40.Fb Random walks and Levy flights

MSC

82B41 Random walks, random surfaces, lattice animals, etc. (See also 60G50, 82C41)

82C10 Quantum dynamics and nonequilibrium statistical mechanics (general)

Subjects

Computational physics

Statistical physics and nonlinear systems

Quantum information and quantum mechanics

Dates

Issue 1 (7 January 2005)

Received 8 June 2004, in final form 14 October 2004

Published 8 December 2004



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