Hidden facts in Landau-Zener transitions revealed by the Riccati Equation

TL;DR

This paper analyzes Landau-Zener transitions using the Riccati differential equation, revealing how non-linearity affects probability amplitudes and the limitations of the Markov approximation.

Contribution

It introduces a Riccati equation approach to understand Landau-Zener dynamics, clarifying the origin of approximation failures and providing analytical solutions in different regimes.

Findings

Riccati equation links probability amplitudes in Landau-Zener transitions.

Neglecting non-linearity yields the Markov approximation and exact asymptotics for one amplitude.

The non-linear Riccati equation explains why the Markov approximation fails for the other amplitude.

Abstract

We express the dynamics of the two probability amplitudes in the elementary Landau-Zener problem in terms of the solution of the corresponding Riccati differential equation and identify three key features: (i) The solution of the Riccati equation provides the bridge between the two probability amplitudes. (ii) Neglecting the non-linearity in the Riccati equation is equivalent to the Markov approximation which yields the exact asymptotic expression for one of the probability amplitudes, and (iii) the Riccati equation identifies the origin of the failure of the Markov approximation not being able to provide us in general with the correct asymptotic expression of the other probability amplitude. Our approach relies on approximate yet analytical solutions of the Riccati equation in different time regimes, highlighting the impact of its non-linear nature on the time evolution of the system.