Dynamics of quantum-classical hybrid systems: Effect of matter-wave pressure

Abstract

Radiation pressure affects the kinetics of a system exposed to radiation and it constitutes the basis of laser cooling. In this article, we study matter-wave pressure through examining the dynamics of a quantum-classical hybrid system. The quantum and classical subsystems are affected mutually via a changing boundary condition. Two systems, that is, an atom and a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC), are considered as the quantum subsystems, while an oscillating wall is taken as the classical subsystem. We show that the classical subsystem would experience a force proportional to Q-3 from the quantum atom, where Q denotes the distance between the two walls, whereas it acquires an additional force proportional to Q-2 from the BEC due to the atom-atom interaction in the BEC. These forces can be understood as the matter-wave pressure. © 2010 The American Physical Society.