| Popis: |
The response of a nonlinear oscillator to an external electromagnetic field is studied in the quantum regime. It is demonstrated that bistability occurs when the shift of the resonance frequency, induced by the external field and modified by fluctuations (quantum and thermal), surpasses the natural linewidth. This theory can be applied to the study of the nonlinear response, near resonance, of a single electron, trapped in a magnetic field, to an external electromagnetic field. It is shown that, even at low quantum levels of the oscillator, bistability can be observed due to the interplay between the small relativistic nonlinearity, the external electromagnetic field, and the heat bath. |
