Emergence and destruction of macroscopic wave functions

TL;DR

This paper explores how macroscopic wave functions, crucial for understanding quantum phenomena like Bose-Einstein condensates, can persist or be destroyed under time-dependent forces, with simulations predicting rapid destruction possible in experiments.

Contribution

It introduces a new definition of the time-dependent order parameter and demonstrates that macroscopic wave functions can survive strong forcing, challenging previous assumptions.

Findings

Macroscopic wave functions can persist under strong time-dependent forces.

Simulations show rapid destruction of wave functions is possible.

The new order parameter helps understand dynamical quantum phenomena.

Abstract

The concept of the macroscopic wave function is a key for understanding macroscopic quantum phenomena. The existence of this object reflects a certain order, as is present in a Bose-Einstein condensate when a single-particle orbital is occupied by a macroscopic number of bosons. We extend these ideas to situations in which a condensate is acted on by an explicitly time-dependent force. While one might assume that such a force would necessarily degrade any pre-existing order, we demonstrate that macroscopic wave functions can persist even under strong forcing. Our definition of the time-dependent order parameter is based on a comparison of the evolution of $N$-particle states on the one hand, and of states with $N - 1$ particles on the other. Our simulations predict the possibility of an almost instantaneous dynamical destruction of a macroscopic wave function under currently accessible experimental conditions.