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Arjendu K. Pattanayak: Summary of published research


Mapping the quantum-classical transition for nonlinear systems (including transport properties)
(2006 -- , Carleton)

  • Non-monotonicity in the Quantum-Classical Transition: Chaos Induced by Quantum Effects(PRL, 2008): The classical-quantum transition for chaotic systems is understood to be accompanied by the suppression of chaotic effects as the relative [h-bar] is increased. We show evidence to the contrary in the behavior of the quantum trajectory dynamics of a dissipative quantum chaotic system, the double-well Duffing oscillator. The classical limit in the case considered has regular behavior, but as the effective [h-bar] is increased we see chaotic behavior. This chaos then disappears deeper into the quantum regime, which means that the quantum-classical transition in this case is nonmonotonic in [h-bar]. This paper got commented on, and we responded. The question is whether the chaos we saw was real, or due to short-time analysis.
  • Controlling the Ratchet Effect for Cold Atoms(PRL, 2008): Low-order quantum resonances manifested by directed currents have been realized with cold atoms. Here we found an interesting effect -- as we kick a collection of atoms with a so-called ratchet potential, we get accelerations of high order at specific parameter values. That is, quantum resonances of a very high order naturally emerge and can induce larger ratchet currents than low-order resonances, with the underlying classical limit being fully chaotic. The results offer a means of controlling quantum transport of cold atoms.
  • Quantum entropy dynamics for chaotic systems beyond the classical limit(PRE, 2007): Further work on the scaling hypothesis and entropy production rate (see paper with Sundaram and Greenbaum, as well as solo PRL from '99 below): The entropy production rate for an open quantum system with a classically chaotic limit has been previously argued to be independent of [h-bar] and D, the parameter denoting coupling to the environment, and to be equal to the sum of generalized Lyapunov exponents, with these results applying in the near-classical regime. We present results for a specific system going well beyond earlier work, considering how these dynamics are altered for the Duffing problem by changing [h-bar],D and show that the entropy dynamics have a transition from classical to quantum behavior that scales, at least for a finite time, as a function of [h-bar]2/D.
  • Bifurcations and sudden current change in ensembles of classically chaotic ratchets(PRE, 2007): Trying to understand transport properties of nonlinear (specifically chaotic) systems. There was an interesting conjecture from Mateos [Phys. Rev. Lett. 84, 258 (2000)] that current reversal in a classical deterministic ratchet should be understood as stemming from bifurcations from chaotic to periodic regimes. This is based on the comparison of the current and the bifurcation diagram as a function of a given parameter for a periodic asymmetric potential. Barbi and Salerno [Phys. Rev. E 62, 1988 (2000)] disagreed: they argued that, contrary to Mateos' claim, current reversals can occur also in the absence of bifurcations. We were trying to understand ratchets in general, and looked into it a little deeper. Turned out that Barbi and Salerno's studies are based on the dynamics of one particle rather than the statistical mechanics of an ensemble of particles moving in the chaotic system. The behavior of ensembles can be quite different, depending upon their characteristics, which leaves their results open to question. In this paper we present results from studies showing how the current depends on the details of the ensemble used to generate it, as well as conditions for convergent behavior (that is, independent of the details of the ensemble). We are then able to present the converged current as a function of parameters, in the same system as Mateos as well as Barbi and Salerno. We show evidence for current reversal without bifurcation, as well as bifurcation without current reversal. We conjecture that it is appropriate to correlate abrupt changes in the current with bifurcation, rather than current reversals, and show numerical evidence for our claims.

Coherence and decoherence in nonlinear dynamics
(2002 -- 2005, Carleton)

  • Coarse-grained entropy decrease and phase-space focusing in Hamiltonian dynamics (PRA, 2005, also Virt. J. Ultrafast Sci. -- Aug 2005): We analyze the behavior of the coarse-grained entropy for classical probabilities in nonlinear Hamiltonians. We focus on the result that if the trajectory dynamics are integrable, the probability ensemble shows transient increases in the coherence, corresponding to an increase in localization of the ensemble and hence the phase-space density of the ensemble. We discuss the connection of these dynamics to the problem of cooling in atomic ensembles. We show how these dynamics can be understood in terms of the behavior of individual trajectories, allowing us to manipulate ensembles to create "cold" dense final ensembles. We illustrate these results with an analysis of the behavior of particular nonlinear integrable systems, including discussions of the spin-echo effect and the seeming violation of Liouville's theorem.
  • Pulse-induced focusing of Rydberg wavepackets (PRA, 2003): We demonstrate that strong transient phase-space localization can be achieved by the application of a single impulsive "kick" in the form of a short (600 ps) unidirectional electric-field pulse to a strongly polarized, quasi-one-dimensional Rydberg atom. The underlying classical dynamics is analyzed and it is shown that phase-space localization results from a focusing effect analogous to rainbow scattering. Moreover, it is shown that the essential features of the classical analysis remain valid in a quantum-mechanical treatment of the system in terms of its phase-space Husimi distribution. The degree of phase-space localization is characterized by the coarse-grained Renyi entropy. Transient phase-space localization is demonstrated experimentally using extreme redshifted m = 0 potassium Stark states in the n = 351 manifold and a short probe pulse. The experimental data are in good agreement with theoretical predictions. The localized state provides an excellent starting point for further control and manipulation of the electron wave packet.
  • Parameter scaling in the decoherent quantum-classical transition for chaotic systems (PRL, 2003): The quantum to classical transition for a system depends on many parameters, including a scale length for its action, [h-bar], a measure of its coupling to the environment, D, and, for chaotic systems, the classical Lyapunov exponent, lambda. We propose measuring the proximity of quantum and classical evolutions as a multivariate function of ([h-bar],lambda,D) and searching for transformations that collapse this hypersurface into a function of a composite parameter zeta= [h-bar]^alpha lambda^beta D^gamma. We report results for the quantum Cat Map and Duffing oscillator, showing accurate scaling behavior over a wide parameter range, indicating that this may be used to construct universality classes for this transition. (With Sundaram and Greenbaum)
  • Non-hermiticity in a kicked model: Decoherence and the semiclassical limit (PRE, Rapid, 2002): People have been studying dynamical localization in quantum chaotic systems (related to Anderson localization) for many years. It seems likely that as the decoherent effect of the environment is turned up, the localization should give way to classical behavior. We tried to understand this using the novel method of non-Hermitian Hamiltonians in a quantum kicked model exhibiting a localization transition. We showed that the critical line separating the extended and localized phases approaches its semiclassical limit as the non-Hermiticity (corresponding to the decoherence) is steadily increased. This direct evidence of quantum-classical correspondence means that decoherence may be usefully modeled by non-Hermitian perturbations. (Work done with Indu Satija).

Dynamics of probability distributions, with application to experiments
(1998-2001, Rice and Carleton)

  • Transient phase-space localization (PRA, Rapid, 2002): We consider the dynamics of a Rydberg atom subject to an impulsive momentum transfer or `kick'. Classical simulations and analysis of the entropy dynamics predict that the wavepacket generated by the kick undergoes strong transient phase space localization, forming an excellent starting point for further control and manipulation. Such localized states can be `trapped' for extended periods using a train of subsequent kicks.
  • Stabilizing an attractive Bose-Einstein condensate by driving a surface collective mode (PRA, 2001) : Bose-Einstein condensates with attractive interatomic interactions implode unless the number of condensate atoms is less than a maximum value. We theoretically demonstrate that the nonlinear dynamics of the condensate stabilizes such a condensate against the collapse.
  • Characterizing the metastable balance between chaos and diffusion (Physica D, 2001): New diagnostics for the balance between chaos and noise for the chaotic-advective dynamics of a field in a fluid dynamical system were examined in detail. It was shown in particular that the root-mean-square Fourier radius of the field distinguishes clearly between the chaotic (increasing Fourier radius) and diffusive (decreasing Fourier radius) regimes and exhibits steady-state behavior when the two are in balance. (This paper was designated one of the 'hottest papers' at Physica D).
  • Lyapunov exponents, entropy production, and decoherence (PRL, 1999) : It was proven that the entropy production rate of a classically chaotic Hamiltonian system coupled to the environment settles, after a transient, to a meta-stable value given by the sum of positive generalized Lyapunov exponents. A statistical steady state is generated in this process, arising from the balance between chaos and noise. This behavior also occurs in quantum systems close to the classical limit so that quantum-classical correspondence in chaotic systems is restored through the coupling to the environment. This analytically proves a corrected and generalized version of a conjecture by Wojciech Zurek and Juan Pablo Paz.

Chaos and Correspondence in Quantum and Classical Distributions; Decoherence:
(With Paul Brumer, at U of Toronto)

  • Exponential Divergence and Long Time Relaxation in Chaotic Quantum Dynamics ( PRL 1996): The dynamics of quantal quasi-probabilities (the Wigner function) and classical Liouville probability densities were compared for maps on the torus, including the Arnold Cat Map, to show the approach to classical chaos in quantum systems. 
  • Chaos and Lyapunov exponents in classical and quantal distribution dynamics (PRE 1997): An analytic and asymptotically valid signature for chaos in distributions was derived and the role of a generalized Lyapunov exponent in chaotically evolving classical distributions was established; when applied to a quantum map, it was shown that the hbar --> 0 limit yields operational quantum chaos but the quantum--classical transition is not necessarily monotonic in Planck's constant.
  • Exponentially Rapid Decoherence in Chaotic Quantum Systems (PRL 1997): Decoherence is the transition of a quantum system from a `pure state' exhibiting quantum interference to a statistical mixture of states. It was shown using the above result that, in the semiclassical limit, a quantum system whose classical counterpart is chaotic decoheres exponentially rapidly. This arguably contributes to the puzzling experimental observation that the decoherence time in mesoscopic devices saturates at very low temperatures.

Gaussian Approximations; Semiclassical Quantization of Chaotic systems:
(With Bill Schieve, UT-Austin)

Complex Systems:
(Work done at the Santa Fe Institute and UT-Austin)

As a student at a Santa Fe Institute Summer School, I was exposed to a variety of ideas in `complex systems' including topics in neural networks, biological neurons, self-organized criticality and fluid dynamics. I worked on the following problems:

With Alfred Hubler, UIUC

  • Blood Coagulation is a Complex System: A cell-based experiment to understand the mechanism of blood coagulationin vivo was modelled by a system of kinetic equations to be used for numerical comparison with the experimental results.

With Maureanne Hoffman (Duke Medical School) and others. 


Eight degrees of separation(Co-authors)

While in Austin:

  • Bill Schieve (Ph.D. advisor),
  • Doug Reale (Bill's Masters student),
  • David Lippmann (met as an associate of the Stat Mech Center),
  • Alfred Hubler (met at the Santa Fe Institute),
  • Maureen Hoffmann,
  • Bill Fortin,
  • Doug Monroe (met all three at the Santa Fe Institute)

While in Toronto:

While in Houston:

Since coming to Northfield:

 (u = undergraduate co-author)

  • Indu Satija (Met at a conference)
  • Barry, Chris, Carlos
  • Diego Arbo (Carlos's post-doc) again
  • Joachim Burgdorfer (Carlos and Barry's collaborator),
  • W. Zhao (Member of Barry's group)
  • Jim Lancaster (Member of Barry's group)
  • Bala Sundaram (Known for years through conferences/short visits)
  • Ben Greenbaum (Bala's student from Columbia)
  • Anton de la Fuente (u)
  • Dan Krawisz (u)
  • Ted Holby (u)
  • Jorge Silva (u)
  • Lawrence Uricchio (u)
  • Dan Brooks (u)
  • Arnaldo again,
  • Anatole Kenfack (met during sabbatical visit to MPIPKS),
  • Sean Sweetnam (u)
  • Jiang-bin Gong
  • Arie Kapulkin (Grad school friend)
  • Kyle Kingsbury (u)
  • Chris Amey (u)

Research students over the years:

At Rice:

  • David Pekker --> UIUC (Solid State, Goldbart's group)
  • Roy Keyes --> UNM
  • Will Ray --> UMD (Nonlinear Dynamics/Lasers -- Raj Roy's group)
  • Austin Cottrell --> UT Austin TICAM

At Carleton:

  • Anton de la Fuente ('03)
  • Daniel Krawisz ('04)--> UT Austin,
  • Ted Holby ('04)--> UWisc Materials,
  • Jorge Silva ('04)--> Manchester,
  • Lawrence Uricchio ('05) --> Chicago Biophysics,
  • Dan Brooks ('05)--> UC Berkeley (Cold atoms -- Dan Stamper-Kurn's group),
  • Charlotte Christensen ('05)--> UWashington Astro,
  • Neal Meyer ('06) --> Penn State,
  • Mark Knight ('06) --> Rice (Nanotechnology -- Naomi Halas' group),
  • Brian Daub ('06) --> MIT,
  • Leigh Norris ('07) --> U New Mexico (Quantum Information),
  • Sean Sweetnam ('08) --> Fullbright fellowship to Switzerland,
  • Parin Sripakdeevong ('08) --> Stanford,
  • Adam Steege ('08) --> Columbia Engineering,
  • Kyle Kingsbury (’09) ŕ programmer job in SF
  • Chris Amey ('09).

Long-term visits, including sabbatical visits

·  KITP (Santa Barbara),

·  Center for Advanced Studies/Information Physics Group at UNM (Albuquerque)

·  Max-Planck-Institut für Physik Komplexer Systeme, Dresden

·  Centro Internacional de Ciencias, Cuernavaca


Warning: High-geekiness coefficient (like everything else on this page isn't!)

My Erdös number is at most 5.

Upper bound collaboration distance from my uncle, Prof. Swadheenananda Pattanayak, also 5.

Upper-bound collaboration distance from my childhood neighbour, and high-school and grad-school friend (boy, have I spent time with this guy. We're even born on the same day!) Sanjoy Baruah is 7.

Likewise from my colleague, Nelson Christensen!

All of these are higher than I would like. On the other hand, upper-bound collaboration distance numbers from personal heroes Richard Feynman (4), Eugene Wigner (4) and John Wheeler (3), are decent. Yeah!

Find an upper bound to your Erdös number or the collaboration distance between any pair of mathematicians/physicists (including yourself). Distances are surprisingly short and mapping the connections quite entertaining (in an, ahem, seriously geeky kind of way).

 

 

 

 

 

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© Arjendu K. Pattanayak 1999- ..>