Bosonic Mpemba effect with non-classical states of light

TL;DR

This paper predicts a quantum Mpemba effect in light decay dynamics, showing that non-classical states of light can relax faster than classical states in optical systems, revealing quantum influences on relaxation processes.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of a bosonic Mpemba effect in quantum optics, demonstrating how non-classical states of light influence relaxation times in photon decay processes.

Findings

Non-classical states can exhibit faster decay than classical states.

Photon statistics significantly affect relaxation dynamics.

Quantum states like Fock, squeezed, and cat states show the Mpemba effect.

Abstract

The Mpemba effect refers to the surprising observation where, under certain conditions, a far-from-equilibrium state can relax toward equilibrium faster than a state closer to equilibrium. A paradigmatic example is provided by the curious fact that hot water can sometimes freeze faster than cold water. The Mpemba effect has intrigued scientists since long time and has been predicted and observed in a variety of classical and quantum systems. Recently, the search for Mpemba-like effects of purely quantum nature has raised a major interest. Here we predict the emergence of Mpemba effect in the quantum optics context exploiting non-classical states of light. By analyzing the decay dynamics of photon fields in a leaky optical resonator or waveguide, it is demonstrated that bosonic Mpemba effect emerges in the context of the quantum nature of light. Specifically, the relaxation dynamics is strongly influenced by the photon statistics of the initially trapped light field. The Mpemba effect is observed when comparing the decay dynamics of classical light fields (coherent states) with certain non-classical states, such as Fock states, squeezed states and Schr\"odinger cat states.