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Condensed Matter

arXiv:cond-mat/9511011 (cond-mat)
[Submitted on 2 Nov 1995 (v1), last revised 3 Nov 1995 (this version, v2)]

Title:Decoherence in the Quantum Dynamics of a "Central Spin" Coupled to a Spin Environment

Authors:N. V. Prokof'ev, P. C. E. Stamp
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Abstract: We consider here the problem of a "central spin", with spin quantum number $S \gg 1$, interacting with a set of microscopic spins. Interactions between the microscopic spins are ignored. This model describes magnetic grains or magnetic macromolecules (ferromagnetically or antiferromagnetically ordered) interacting with nuclear spins and with any surrounding paramagnetic electronic spins. It has also been used to describe $Si:P$ near the metal-insulator transition, and quantum spin glasses.
In this paper we consider the possible coherent motion of the central spin. We reduce the model to an effective low-energy Hamiltonian, and then calculate the correlation function <S(t)S(0)> using instanton methods. The general solution is given for the unbiased case, for all relevant values of the couplings. Under certain conditions, nuclear spin diffusion also plays a role. The results are then used to calculate the spectral absorption for 2 experimental systems, viz., $TbFe_3$ grains, and ferritin molecules. Our results have general implications for the observation of mesoscopic and macroscopic quantum coherence, and for the foundations of quantum mechanics. They show that a spin environment usually has a very destructive effect on coherence, which cannot be understood using the conventional "oscillator bath" models of quantum environments.
Comments: 44 pages, RevTex, 3 hand-made figures out of 22 are available upon request from <stamp@physics.this http URL>, fig. compresed by <tar cvzf>, Submitted to Phys.Rev.B on 20 April 95
Subjects: Condensed Matter (cond-mat)
Report number: TO-RSC:04-04-95
Cite as: arXiv:cond-mat/9511011
  (or arXiv:cond-mat/9511011v2 for this version)
  https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.cond-mat/9511011

Submission history

From: Nikolai V. Prokofev [view email]
[v1] Thu, 2 Nov 1995 13:06:28 UTC (1 KB) (withdrawn)
[v2] Fri, 3 Nov 1995 13:52:59 UTC (147 KB)
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