Quantum Zeno and anti-Zeno effects in surface diffusion of interacting adsorbates

TL;DR

This paper explores how quantum Zeno and anti-Zeno effects influence surface diffusion of interacting adsorbates, analyzing their physical implications at different temperatures and on various surface types.

Contribution

It introduces a simple, general framework for understanding quantum effects in surface diffusion, including analytical results for flat surfaces and discussions on corrugated surfaces.

Findings

Anti-Zeno effect observed at high temperatures

Quantum effects influence adsorbate diffusion dynamics

Framework applicable to flat and corrugated surfaces

Abstract

Surface diffusion of interacting adsorbates is here analyzed within the context of two fundamental phenomena of quantum dynamics, namely the quantum Zeno effect and the anti-Zeno effect. The physical implications of these effects are introduced here in a rather simple and general manner within the framework of non-selective measurements and for two (surface) temperature regimes: high and very low (including zero temperature). The quantum intermediate scattering function describing the adsorbate diffusion process is then evaluated for flat surfaces, since it is fully analytical in this case. Finally, a generalization to corrugated surfaces is also discussed. In this regard, it is found that, considering a Markovian framework and high surface temperatures, the anti-Zeno effect has already been observed, though not recognized as such.