Quantum dynamics of a nano-rod under compression

TL;DR

This paper models the quantum behavior of a nano-rod under compression coupled to a Cooper-pair box, revealing how quantum tunneling influences pseudo-spin dynamics and suggesting experimental methods to distinguish quantum from classical motion.

Contribution

It introduces a numerical approach to analyze the quantum dynamics of a nano-rod coupled to a pseudo-spin system, highlighting the impact of quantum tunneling on system behavior.

Findings

Quantum tunneling reduces Rabi oscillation amplitude.

Coupling strength affects tunneling and oscillation dynamics.

Proposes experimental setup to distinguish quantum from classical motion.

Abstract

A nano-rod under compression, which is capacitively coupled to a Cooper-pair box, can be modeled in terms of a quartic oscillator linearly interacting with a tunnelling pseudo-spin. We have integrated numerically the quantum dynamics of this system in the partial Wigner representation and calculated the pseudo-spin population difference. Depending on the coupling, we have verified that the quantum tunnelling of the oscillator can lead to a more effective reduction of the Rabi oscillation amplitude of the pseudo-spin. Such findings suggests an experimental set-up that might be able to discriminate between the quantum and the classical motion of a nano-rod.