Exact Quantum Dynamics of a Bosonic Josephson Junction

Published in Physical Review Letters, 2009

Recommended citation: Kaspar Sakmann, Alexej I. Streltsov, Ofir E. Alon, and Lorenz S. Cederbaum (2009). "Exact Quantum Dynamics of a Bosonic Josephson Junction." Physical Review Letters, 103, 200601. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.103.220601

The quantum dynamics of a one-dimensional bosonic Josephson junction is studied by solving the time-dependent many-boson Schrödinger equation numerically exactly. Already for weak interparticle interactions and on short time scales, the commonly employed mean-field and many-body methods are found to deviate substantially from the exact dynamics. The system exhibits rich many-body dynamics such as enhanced tunneling and a novel equilibration phenomenon of the junction depending on the interaction, which is attributed to a quick loss of coherence.

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