A Brief Introduction to Stationary Quantum Chaos in Generic Systems

Abstract

We review the basic aspects of quantum chaos (wave chaos) in mixed-type Hamiltonian systems with divided phase space, where regular regions containing the invariant tori coexist with the chaotic regions. The quantum evolution of classically chaotic bound systems does not possess the sensitive dependence on initial conditions, and thus no chaotic behaviour occurs, as the motion is always almost periodic. However, the study of the stationary solutions of the Schrödinger equation in the quantum phase space (Wigner functions or Husimi functions) reveals precise analogy of the structure of the classical phase portrait. In classically integrable regions the spectral (energy) statistics is Poissonian, while in the ergodic chaotic regions the random matrix theory applies. If we have the mixed-type classical phase space, in the semiclassical limit (short wavelength approximation) the spectrum is composed of Poissonian level sequence supported by the regular part of the phase space, and chaotic sequences supported by classically chaotic regions, being statistically independent of each other, as described by the Berry-Robnik distribution. In quantum systems with discrete energy spectrum the Heisenberg time tH = πℏ/ΔE, where ΔE is the mean level spacing (inverse energy level density), is an important time scale. The classical transport time scale tT (transport time) in relation to the Heisenberg time scale tH (their ratio is the parameter α = tH / tT ) determines the degree of localization of the chaotic eigenstates, whose measure A is based on the information entropy. We show that A is linearly related to the normalized inverse participation ratio. We study the structure of quantum localized chaotic eigenstates (their Wigner and Husimi functions) and the distribution of localization measure A. The latter one is well described by the beta distribution, if there are no sticky regions in the classical phase space. Otherwise, they have a complex nonuniversal structure. We show that the localized chaotic states display the fractional power-law repulsion between the nearest energy levels in the sense that the probability density (level spacing distribution) to find successive levels on a distance S goes like ∝ S β for small S , where 0 ≤ β ≤ 1, and β = 1 corresponds to completely extended states, and β = 0 to the maximally localized states. β goes from 0 to 1 when α goes from 0 to ∞, β is a function of <A>, as demonstrated in the quantum kicked rotator, the stadium billiard, and a mixed-type billiard.

Classical and Quantum Mixed-Type Lemon Billiards without Stickiness

“…Our main result is exploring and confirming the Berry-Robnik picture of separating statistically independent regular and chaotic eigenstates and the corresponding energy levels [17] in the semiclassical regime. By means of Poincaré-Husimi (PH) functions we have demonstrated that indeed Principle of Uniform Semiclassical Condensation (PUSC) [25] applies, as the PH functions clearly condense either on invariant tori, or on the chaotic component. In the latter case they can be localized as measured by the entropy localization measure A, but in the strict semiclassical limit become uniformly extended.…”

“…The above statements are true provided the Heisenberg time is larger than any classical transport time in the system [7]. If this is not the case, the chaotic eigenstates can be quantum (or dynamically) localized, which implies localized chaotic PH functions to be introduced in the next Sec.…”

“…This has been defined and implemented in our previous papers [26,27], see also Refs. [6,7]. There we have introduced method is applicable in a general case.…”

“…For a general introduction to the subjects in quantum chaos related to our work the reader is referred to the previous paper [1]. Here we only mention the introductions to the general quantum chaos in the books by Stöckmann [4] and Haake [5], and the recent review papers on the stationary quantum chaos in generic (mixed-type) systems [6,7].…”

Fluctuating Number of Energy Levels in Mixed-Type Lemon Billiards

“…A general introduction to the subjects in quantum chaos, related to this study, can be found in [3]. Let us also mention the books by Stöckmann [5] and Haake [6] on general quantum chaos and the recent reviews [7,8] on stationary quantum chaos in generic (mixedtype) systems.…”