Time-dependent harmonic potentials for momentum or position scaling

Abstract

Cooling methods and particle slowers as well as accelerators are basic tools for fundamental research and applications in different fields and systems. We put forward a generic mechanism to scale the momentum of a particle, regardless of its initial position and momentum, by means of a transient harmonic potential. The design of the time-dependent frequency makes use of a linear invariant and inverse techniques drawn from “shortcuts to adiabaticity.” The timing of the process may be decided beforehand, and its influence on the system evolution and final features is analyzed. We address quantum systems, but the protocols found are also valid for classical particles. Similar processes are possible as well for position scaling.