Adiabaticity in a time-dependent trap: a universal limit for the loss by touching the continuum

Abstract

We consider a time dependent trap externally manipulated in such a way that one of its bound states is brought into an instant contact with the continuum threshold, and then down again. It is shown that, in the limit of slow evolution, the probability to remain in the bound state, $P^{stay}$ tends to a universal limit, and is determined only by the manner in which the adiabatic bound state approaches and leaves the threshold. The task of evaluating the $P^{stay}$ in the adiabatic limit can be reduced to studying the loss from a zero range well, and is performed numerically. Various types of trapping potentials are considered. Applications of the theory to cold atoms in traps, and to propagation of traversal modes in tapered wave guides are proposed.