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  • Open Access

Desorption-induced decoherence of nanoparticle motion

Jonas Schäfer1, Benjamin A. Stickler2, and Klaus Hornberger1

  • 1Faculty of Physics, University of Duisburg-Essen, Lotharstraße 1, 47048 Duisburg, Germany
  • 2Institute for Complex Quantum Systems and Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, D-89069 Ulm, Germany

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Phys. Rev. A 112, 023502 – Published 4 August, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/4yxn-48c6

Abstract

We derive the quantum master equation predicting how the translational and rotational dynamics of a nanoparticle is affected by the emission of surface adsorbates. This is motivated by recent experiments which prepared the motion of internally hot silica particles in the deep quantum regime. In the limit of a well localized nanoparticle the rotranslational dynamics can be characterized by diffusion rates in quantitative agreement with classical expectations. The theory is also suited to describe the decoherence effect of outgassing and sublimation.

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Corrections

13 January, 2026

Correction: Sign errors in Eq. (19) and in an inline equation in the text below Eq. (19) have been fixed.

Article Text

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Outline

Information

Phys. Rev. A 112, 023502– Published 4 August, 2025
  • Received 17 March 2025
  • Accepted 7 July 2025
  • Corrected 13 January 2026
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