粒子在外势场中的演化可以用薛定谔方程描述.研究发现可以用光场的相位调制模拟粒子的外势场,只要制备出感兴趣的位相分布调制,就可以利用光束的演化模拟粒子在外势场中的演化.实验上利用相位镜产生锯齿状的外势,从而在全光系统中实现了量子棘轮,用肉眼就可以看到22步的棘轮效应.进一步还演示了棘轮效应中的量子共振现象.本工作实现了用经典光模拟量子粒子的演化,从而可以研究其他有趣的量子现象.
We create a potential for light with a phase mirror and then experimentally realize a photonic quantum ratchet in an all-optical system, in which ratchet effects can be observed with the naked eye up to more than 22 steps, and quantum resonance can be demonstrated. Our method also provides a new means to simulate quantum particles with classical light, and it can be applied to investigate many other quantum phenomena.