Schrödinger-cat states in Landau-Zener-Stückelberg-Majorana interferometry: a multiple Davydov Ansatz approach

Abstract

Employing the time-dependent variational principle combined with the multiple Davydov D 2 Ansatz, we investigate Landau-Zener (LZ) transitions in a qubit coupled to a photon mode with various initial photon states at zero temperature. Thanks to the multiple Davydov trial states, exact photonic dynamics taking place in the course of the LZ transition is also studied efficiently. With the qubit driven by a linear external field and the photon mode initialized with Schrödinger-cat states, asymptotic behavior of the transition probability beyond the rotating-wave approximation is uncovered for a variety of Schrödinger-cat initial states. Using a sinusoidal external driving field, we also explore the photon-assisted dynamics of Landau-Zener-Stückelberg-Majorana interferometry. Transition pathways involving multiple energy levels are unveiled by analyzing the photon dynamics.