Frictionless quantum quenches in ultracold gases: a quantum dynamical microscope

In this article, a method is proposed to spatially scale up a trapped ultracold gas while conserving the quantum correlations of the initial many-body state. For systems supporting self-similar dynamics, this is achieved by implementing a many-body finite-time frictionless quantum quench of the harmonic trap which acts as a quantum dynamical microscope.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Non Singular Origin of the Universe and the Cosmological Constant Problem (CCP)

We consider a non singular origin for the Universe starting from an Einstein static Universe in the framework of a theory which uses two volume elements $\sqrt{-{g}}d^{4}x$ and $\Phi d^{4}x$, where $\Phi$ is a metric independent density, also curvature, curvature square terms, first order formalism and for scale invariance a dilaton field $\phi$ are considered in the action. In the Einstein frame we also add a cosmological term that parametrizes the zero point fluctuations. The resulting effective potential for the dilaton contains two flat regions, for $\phi \rightarrow \infty$ relevant for the non singular origin of the Universe and $\phi \rightarrow -\infty$, describing our present Universe. Surprisingly, avoidance of singularities and stability as $\phi \rightarrow \infty$ imply a positive but small vacuum energy as $\phi \rightarrow -\infty$. Zero vacuum energy density for the present universe is the "threshold" for universe creation.Comment: awarded an honorable mention in the Gravity Research Foundation 2011 Awards for Essays in Gravitation for 201

Controlling quantum critical dynamics of isolated systems

Controlling the non adiabatic dynamics of isolated quantum systems driven through a critical point is of interest in a variety of fields ranging from quantum simulation to finite-time thermodynamics. We briefly review the different methods for designing protocols which minimize excitation (defect) production in a closed quantum critical system driven out of equilibrium. We chart out the role of specific driving schemes for this procedure, point out their experimental relevance, and discuss their implementation in the context of ultracold atom and spin systems.Comment: Second version of invited review article submitted to EPJ-ST. References added, typos corrected. 3 figures, 14 p

Non Singular Origin of the Universe and its Present Vacuum Energy Density

We consider a non singular origin for the Universe starting from an Einstein static Universe, the so called "emergent universe" scenario, in the framework of a theory which uses two volume elements $\sqrt{-{g}}d^{4}x$ and $\Phi d^{4}x$, where $\Phi$ is a metric independent density, used as an additional measure of integration. Also curvature, curvature square terms and for scale invariance a dilaton field $\phi$ are considered in the action. The first order formalism is applied. The integration of the equations of motion associated with the new measure gives rise to the spontaneous symmetry breaking (S.S.B) of scale invariance (S.I.). After S.S.B. of S.I., it is found that a non trivial potential for the dilaton is generated. In the Einstein frame we also add a cosmological term that parametrizes the zero point fluctuations. The resulting effective potential for the dilaton contains two flat regions, for $\phi \rightarrow \infty$ relevant for the non singular origin of the Universe, followed by an inflationary phase and $\phi \rightarrow -\infty$, describing our present Universe. The dynamics of the scalar field becomes non linear and these non linearities are instrumental in the stability of some of the emergent universe solutions, which exists for a parameter range of values of the vacuum energy in $\phi \rightarrow -\infty$, which must be positive but not very big, avoiding the extreme fine tuning required to keep the vacuum energy density of the present universe small. Zero vacuum energy density for the present universe defines the threshold for the creation of the universe.Comment: 28 pages, short version of this paper awarded an honorable mention by the Gravity Research Foundation, 2011, accepted for publication in International Journal of Modern Physics

Diffraction in time of a confined particle and its Bohmian paths

Diffraction in time of a particle confined in a box which its walls are removed suddenly at $t=0$ is studied. The solution of the time-dependent Schr\"{o}dinger equation is discussed analytically and numerically for various initial wavefunctions. In each case Bohmian trajectories of the particles are computed and also the mean arrival time at a given location is studied as a function of the initial state.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figure