Temperature Dependent Motion of a Massive Quantum Particle

TL;DR

This paper models the temperature-dependent dynamics of a single massive quantum particle, revealing how thermal interactions influence its transition from quantum coherence to thermodynamic equilibrium through matter wave diffraction.

Contribution

It introduces a model for the time evolution of energy and entropy of a quantum particle at finite temperature, highlighting new motion features due to thermal effects.

Findings

Demonstrates the transition from quantum coherence to equilibrium

Shows the impact of thermal interactions on particle motion

Provides a framework for understanding matter wave diffraction in thermal environments

Abstract

We report model calculations of the time-dependent internal energy and entropy for a single quasi-free massive quantum particle at a constant temperature. We show that the whole process started from a fully coherent quantum state to thermodynamic equilibrium can be understood, based on statistics of diffracted matter waves. As a result of thermal interaction between the particle and its surroundings, the motion of the particle shows new feature.