Quantized energy harvesting in vibrating maglev graphite driven by terahertz waves

Abstract

We investigate the vibration of graphite driven by a periodic force field formed by standing waves, which are caused by the interferences of terahertz waves. It is found that due to the longer wavelength and higher penetration of terahertz waves, as compared to visible light, the vibration energy of graphite is five times higher. In particular, the motion of graphite presents the characteristics of quantization, that is, the vibration amplitude presents a series of separated energy levels. This proves that the correspondence principle in quantum theory is also valid even though the system is much bigger than molecules and atoms, that is, smaller quantum numbers show quantum characteristics more easily. By changing the optical power or magnetic field gradient, graphite can transition between different quantum states. This terahertz driven system will have important applications not only in energy conversion systems and micro–nano-mechanical systems, but also in quantum simulation systems.