Harmonic oscillator in a rotating trap: Complete solution in 3D

Tomasz Sowinski, Iwo Bialynicki-Birula

Published 2004-09-13Version 1

Complete description of the classical and quantum dynamics of a particle in an anisotropic, rotating, harmonic trap is given. The problem is studied in three dimensions and no restrictions on the geometry are imposed. In the generic case, for an arbitrary orientation of the rotation axis, there are two regions of instability with different characteristics. The analysis of the quantum-mechanical problem is made simple due to a direct connection between the classical mode vectors and the quantum-mechanical wave functions. This connection is obtained via the matrix Riccati equation that governs the time evolution of squeezed states of the harmonic oscillator. It is also shown that the inclusion of gravity leads to a resonant behavior -- the particles are expelled from the trap.