Non-Abelian quantum holonomy of hydrogen-like atoms

• We study the Uhlmann holonomy [Rep. Math. Phys. 24, 229 (1986)] of quantum states for hydrogen-like atoms, where the intrinsic spin and orbital angular momentum are coupled by the spin-orbit interaction and subject to a slowly varying magnetic field. We show that the holonomy for the orbital angular momentum and spin subsystems is non-Abelian, while the holonomy of the whole system is Abelian. Quantum entanglement in the states of the whole system is crucially related to the non-Abelian gauge structure of the subsystems. We analyze the phase of the Wilson loop variable associated with the Uhlmann holonomy, and find a relation between the phase of the whole system with corresponding marginal phases. Based on the result for the model system we provide evidence that the phase of the Wilson loop variable and the mixed-state geometric phase [Phys. Rev. Lett. 85, 2845 (2000)] are in general inequivalent.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Atom- och molekylfysik och optik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Atom and Molecular Physics and Optics (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Quantum holonomy

spin-orbit coupling

hydrogen-like atoms

quantum entanglement

Physics

Fysik

Atomic physics

Atomfysik

Mathematical physics

Matematisk fysik

Fysik

Physics

Physics

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)