N. Delis, C. Efthymiopoulos, G. Contopoulos. Quantum vortices and trajectories in particle diffraction
Natural Sciences / Physics / Quantum field theory
Submitted on: Sep 19, 2012, 18:27:30
Description: We investigate the phenomenon of the diffraction of charged particles by thin material targets using the method of the de Broglie-Bohm quantum trajectories. The particle wave function can be modeled as a sum of two terms $psi=psi_{ingoing}+psi_{outgoing}$. A thin separator exists between the domains of prevalence of the ingoing and outgoing wavefunction terms. The structure of the quantum-mechanical currents in the neighborhood of the separator implies the formation of an array of emph{quantum vortices}. The flow structure around each vortex displays a characteristic pattern called 'nodal point - X point complex'. The X point gives rise to stable and unstable manifolds. We find the scaling laws characterizing a nodal point-X point complex by a local perturbation theory around the nodal point. We then analyze the dynamical role of vortices in the emergence of the diffraction pattern. In particular, we demonstrate the abrupt deflections, along the direction of the unstable manifold, of the quantum trajectories approaching an X-point along its stable manifold.