Quantum backflow for two identical particles

TL;DR

This paper explores how quantum statistics affect the maximum quantum backflow for two identical particles on a ring, revealing fermionic statistics significantly hinder the effect compared to bosonic statistics, guiding future experimental efforts.

Contribution

It demonstrates that fermionic statistics reduce quantum backflow more than bosonic statistics for two particles on a ring, highlighting the importance of particle type in experimental observation.

Findings

Fermionic statistics impede quantum backflow more than bosonic.

Quantum backflow is more observable in bosonic systems.

The study guides future experiments towards bosonic particles.

Abstract

Quantum mechanics introduces the possibility for particles to move in a direction opposite to their momentum -- a counter-intuitive and classically impossible phenomenon known as quantum backflow. The magnitude of this effect is relatively small, making its experimental observation, which has yet to be achieved, particularly challenging. Here, we investigate the influence of quantum statistics on the maximal backflow attainable for two identical particles confined to a ring. Notably, we demonstrate that the fermionic statistics significantly impedes quantum backflow compared to the bosonic statistics. Our findings suggest that any future experimental realization of quantum backflow should prioritize systems involving bosons rather than fermions.