On energy transfer by detection of a tunneling atom

Apr, 1999
5 pages
Published in:
  • J.Korean Phys.Soc. 35 (1999) 122-126
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Abstract:
We are in the process of building an experiment to study the tunneling of laser-cooled Rubidium atoms through an optical barrier. A particularly thorny set of questions arises when one considers the possibility of observing a tunneling particle while it is in the ``forbidden'' region. In earlier work, we have discussed how one might probe a tunneling atom ``weakly,'' so as to prevent collapse. Here we make some observations about the implications of a more traditional quantum measurement. Considerations of energy conservation suggest that attempts to observe tunneling atoms will enhance inelastic scattering, but not in a way which can be directly observed. It is possible that attempts to make such measurements may lead to experimentally realizable ``observationally assisted barrier penetration.''
Note:
  • 5 pages, 2 figures