Quantum coherence of protons in metal hydrides

Single protons can be found in tunneling states in certain metal hydrides. Similar situations can also be observed for implanted positive muons. The basic features of such states and conditions for their existence will be reviewed. The quantum coherence is easily destroyed by decoherence mechanisms...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of alloys and compounds 2005-12, Vol.404, p.779-783
Main Author: Karlsson, Erik B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Metal hydrides
Protons
Quantum coherence
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Summary:Single protons can be found in tunneling states in certain metal hydrides. Similar situations can also be observed for implanted positive muons. The basic features of such states and conditions for their existence will be reviewed. The quantum coherence is easily destroyed by decoherence mechanisms related to the coupling of the protonic states to phonons and conduction electrons. Similarly, pairs or small clusters of protons in metal hydrides have been shown to be quantum correlated when observed over very short time-scales with neutron techniques. This two (or multiparticle) coherence is extremely sensitive to external influence and has been observed only on the femto-second time-scale (and below) with specialized techniques. Some examples from work on Nb- and Y-hydrides will be discussed.
ISSN:0925-8388
1873-4669
DOI:10.1016/j.jallcom.2005.03.099