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

Abstract

Radiation pressure affects the kinetics of a system exposed to the radiation and it constitutes the basis of laser cooling. In this paper, we study {\it matter-wave pressure} through examining the dynamics of a quantum-classical hybrid system. The quantum and classical subsystem have no explicit coupling to each other, but affect mutually via a changing boundary condition. Two systems, i.e., 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, 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 {\it matter-wave pressure}.