Quantum Dynamics with Cold Atoms

该项目将开发和提供公开可用的计算机代码和文件，旨在使用高级编程语言和高性能计算机(HPC)帮助解决量子动力学中的问题。这些资源将使研究人员能够更有效地利用国家对高性能计算的投资，加快科学发现和创新的步伐。特别令人感兴趣的是量子动力学在超冷原子和核天体物理学中的应用。例如，需要量子流体力学理论来恰当地描述最近对受限超冷气体进行的实验，还可以为解开脉冲星故障这个40年来的谜团奠定基础。脉冲星故障是指中子星在不断失去角动量的情况下，自转速度突然增加。本科生和研究生都将接受分析和高性能计算技能的培训，以便在未来的学术、国家实验室或工业追求中取得成功。超流体探测器将被开发出来，使人们能够体验我们量子宇宙的迷人特性。这项理论工作将应用于华盛顿州立大学(WSU)和华盛顿大学(UW)的三种冷原子实验。第一类是具有各种相互作用的玻色-爱因斯坦凝聚体(BEC)，例如诱导的自旋-轨道耦合。在这里，我们将研究各种奇异现象，包括负质量流体动力学和孤子动力学。理论方法将根据需要进行改进，以纳入有限温度和耗散的影响。第二类应用是耦合超流体的实验，它探索卷吸和其他超流体相互作用的物理。最后，该项目将探索费米子超流体实验是否以及如何对中子星中的质子和中子超流体进行建模。了解这些量子现象将直接推动冷原子领域的发展，开启量子技术的潜在应用，如改进的传感和量子计算。基本理论还将推动其他领域的发展，包括凝聚态、非线性光学、核理论和核天体物理学。

This project will develop and provide publicly available computer codes and documentation intended to assist in solving problems in quantum dynamics using high-level programming languages and high-performance computers (HPC). These resources will enable researchers to more effectively utilize the nation's investment in HPC, advancing the pace of scientific discovery and innovation. Of particular interest are applications of quantum dynamics to both ultracold atoms and to nuclear astrophysics. For example, a theory of quantum hydrodynamics is needed to properly describe recent experiments with confined ultracold gases and could also lay the foundation for a resolution of the 40-year old mystery of pulsar glitches, sudden increases in the spinning of neutron stars even though they continually lose angular momentum. Both undergraduate and graduate students will be trained with the analytical and high-performance computational skills to succeed in their future pursuits in academia, at national laboratories, or in industry. A superfluid explorer will be developed, enabling people to experience the fascinating properties of our quantum universe.This theoretical work will be applied to three types of cold-atom experiments at Washington State University (WSU) and the University of Washington (UW). The first are Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) with various interactions such as induced spin-orbit coupling. Here, a variety of exotic phenomena will be studied, including negative-mass hydrodynamics, and soliton dynamics. The theoretical approach will be refined as required to incorporate the effects of finite temperature and dissipation. The second class of applications is to experiments with coupled superfluids which explore the physics of entrainment and other superfluid interactions. Finally, the project will explore whether and how experiments with fermionic superfluids can model the proton and neutron superfluids in neutron stars. Understanding these quantum phenomena will directly advance the field of cold atoms, unlocking potential applications in quantum technology, such as improved sensing and quantum computing. The underlying theory will also advance other fields, including condensed matter, non-linear optics, nuclear theory, and nuclear astrophysics.