A novel derivation of quantum propagator useful for time-dependent trapping and control

Abstract

A novel derivation of quantum propagator of a system described by a general quadratic Lagrangian is presented in the framework of Heisenberg equations of motion. The general corresponding density matrix is obtained for a derived quantum harmonic oscillator and a particle confined in a one dimensional Paul trap. Total mean energy, work and absorbed heat, Wigner function and excitation probabilities are found explicitly. The method presented here is based on the Heisenberg representation of position and momentum operators and can be generalized to a system consisting of a set of linearly interacting harmonic oscillators straightforwardly.