title: Quantum rotor in nanostructured superconductors.
abstract: Despite its apparent simplicity, the idealized model of a particle constrained to move on a circle has intriguing dynamic properties and immediate experimental relevance. While a rotor is rather easy to set up classically, the quantum regime is harder to realize and investigate. Here we demonstrate that the quantum dynamics of quasiparticles in certain classes of nanostructured superconductors can be mapped onto a quantum rotor. Furthermore, we provide a straightforward experimental procedure to convert this nanoscale superconducting rotor into a regular or inverted quantum pendulum with tunable gravitational field, inertia, and drive. We detail how these novel states can be detected via scanning tunneling spectroscopy. The proposed experiments will provide insights into quantum dynamics and quantum chaos.
authors.affiliation: 1] Department of Physics, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556 [2] Departement Fysica, Universiteit Antwerpen, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerpen, Belgium.
authors.forename: Shi-Hsin
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Departement Fysica, Universiteit Antwerpen, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerpen, Belgium.
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Milošević
authors.affiliation: Departement Fysica, Universiteit Antwerpen, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerpen, Belgium.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Covaci
authors.affiliation: 1] Department of Physics, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556 [2] Materials Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jankó
authors.affiliation: Departement Fysica, Universiteit Antwerpen, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerpen, Belgium.
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Peeters