Quantum brownian motion under rapid periodic forcing

Abstract

We study the steady state behavior of a confined quantum Brownian particle subjected to a space dependent, rapidly oscillating time-periodic force. To leading order in the period of driving, the result of the oscillating force is an effective static potential which has a quantum dissipative contribution, V_QD, which adds on to the classical result. This is shown using a coherent state representation of bath oscillators. V_QD is evaluated exactly in the case of an Ohmic dissipation bath. It is strongest for intermediate values of the damping, where it can have pronounced effects.