Resonant Transitions Due to Changing Boundaries

Abstract

The problem of a particle confined in a box with moving walls is studied, focusing on the case of small perturbations which do not alter the shape of the boundary ('pantography'). The presence of resonant transitions involving the natural transition frequencies of the system and the Fourier transform of the velocity of the walls of the box is brought to the light. The special case of a pantographic change of a circular box is analyzed in depth, also bringing to light the fact that the movement of the boundary cannot affect the angular momentum of the particle.