Split-operator technique and solution of Liouville propagation equations

Phase-space studies of backscattering diffraction of defective Schrödinger cat states

The coherent superposition of two well separated Gaussian wavepackets, with defects caused by their imperfect preparation, is considered within the phase-space approach based on the Wigner distribution function. This generic state is called the defective Schrödinger cat state due to this imperfection which significantly modifies the interference term. Propagation of this state in the phase space is described by the Moyal equation which is solved for the case of a dispersive medium with a Gaussian barrier in the above-barrier reflection regime. Formally, this regime constitutes conditions for backscattering diffraction phenomena. Dynamical quantumness and the degree of localization in the phase space of the considered state as a function of its imperfection are the subject of the performed analysis. The obtained results allow concluding that backscattering communication based on the defective Schrödinger cat states appears to be feasible with existing experimental capabilities.

EXPONENTIAL PROPAGATORS (INTEGRATORS) FOR THE TIME-DEPENDENT SCHRÖDINGER EQUATION

The time-dependent Schrödinger Equation (TDSE) is a parabolic partial differential equation (PDE) comparable to a diffusion equation but with imaginary time. Due to its first order time derivative, exponential integrators or propagators are natural methods to describe evolution in time of the TDSE, both for time-independent and time-dependent potentials. Two splitting methods based on Fer and/or Magnus expansions allow for developing unitary factorizations of exponentials with different accuracies in the time step △t. The unitary factorization of exponentials to high order accuracy depends on commutators of kinetic energy operators with potentials. Fourth-order accuracy propagators can involve negative or complex time steps, or real time steps only but with gradients of potentials, i.e. forces. Extending the propagators of TDSE's to imaginary time allows to also apply these methods to classical many-body dynamics, and quantum statistical mechanics of molecular systems.