Search for a border between classical and quantum worlds

Robert Alicki
Phys. Rev. A 65, 034104 – Published 5 February 2002
PDFExport Citation

Abstract

The effects of environmental decoherence on a mass-center position of a body consisting of many atoms are studied using a kind of linear quantum Boltzmann equation. It is shown that under realistic laboratory conditions these effects can be essentially eliminated for dust particles containing 1015 atoms. However, the initial velocity distribution and certain geometrical conditions make standard interference-type measurements extremally difficult beyond the nanometer scale. The results are illustrated by the analysis of the recent experiments involving fullerenes. Applications of decoherence effects to precise monitoring of environment or to separation of molecules are suggested.

  • Received 19 September 2001

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.65.034104

©2002 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Robert Alicki

  • Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 57, PL 80-952 Gdańsk, Poland

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 65, Iss. 3 — March 2002

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review A

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×