Quantum chaos for nonstandard symmetry classes in the Feingold-Peres model of coupled tops.

We consider two coupled quantum tops with angular momentum vectors L and M. The coupling Hamiltonian defines the Feingold-Peres model, which is a known paradigm of quantum chaos. We show that this model has a nonstandard symmetry with respect to the Altland-Zirnbauer tenfold symmetry classification of quantum systems, which extends the well-known threefold way of Wigner and Dyson (referred to as "standard" symmetry classes here). We identify the nonstandard symmetry classes BDI_{0} (chiral orthogonal class with no zero modes), BDI_{1} (chiral orthogonal class with one zero mode), and CI (antichiral orthogonal class) as well as the standard symmetry class AI (orthogonal class). We numerically analyze the specific spectral quantum signatures of chaos related to the nonstandard symmetries. In the microscopic density of states and in the distribution of the lowest positive energy eigenvalue, we show that the Feingold-Peres model follows the predictions of the Gaussian ensembles of random-matrix theory in the appropriate symmetry class if the corresponding classical dynamics is chaotic. In a crossover to mixed and near-integrable classical dynamics, we show that these signatures disappear or strongly change.

Stationary waves on nonlinear quantum graphs: General framework and canonical perturbation theory.

In this paper we present a general framework for solving the stationary nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLSE) on a network of one-dimensional wires modeled by a metric graph with suitable matching conditions at the vertices. A formal solution is given that expresses the wave function and its derivative at one end of an edge (wire) nonlinearly in terms of the values at the other end. For the cubic NLSE this nonlinear transfer operation can be expressed explicitly in terms of Jacobi elliptic functions. Its application reduces the problem of solving the corresponding set of coupled ordinary nonlinear differential equations to a finite set of nonlinear algebraic equations. For sufficiently small amplitudes we use canonical perturbation theory, which makes it possible to extract the leading nonlinear corrections over large distances.

Stationary waves on nonlinear quantum graphs. II. Application of canonical perturbation theory in basic graph structures.

We consider exact and asymptotic solutions of the stationary cubic nonlinear Schrödinger equation on metric graphs. We focus on some basic example graphs. The asymptotic solutions are obtained using the canonical perturbation formalism developed in our earlier paper [S. Gnutzmann and D. Waltner, Phys. Rev. E 93, 032204 (2016)2470-004510.1103/PhysRevE.93.032204]. For closed example graphs (interval, ring, star graph, tadpole graph), we calculate spectral curves and show how the description of spectra reduces to known characteristic functions of linear quantum graphs in the low-intensity limit. Analogously for open examples, we show how nonlinear scattering of stationary waves arises and how it reduces to known linear scattering amplitudes at low intensities. In the short-wavelength asymptotics we discuss how genuine nonlinear effects may be described using the leading order of canonical perturbation theory: bifurcation of spectral curves (and the corresponding solutions) in closed graphs and multistability in open graphs.

A review of sigma models for quantum chaotic dynamics.

We review the construction of the supersymmetric sigma model for unitary maps, using the color-flavor transformation. We then illustrate applications by three case studies in quantum chaos. In two of these cases, general Floquet maps and quantum graphs, we show that universal spectral fluctuations arise provided the pertinent classical dynamics are fully chaotic (ergodic and with decay rates sufficiently gapped away from zero). In the third case, the kicked rotor, we show how the existence of arbitrarily long-lived modes of excitation (diffusion) precludes universal fluctuations and entails quantum localization.

Microwave experiments simulating quantum search and directed transport in artificial graphene.

A series of quantum search algorithms have been proposed recently providing an algebraic speedup compared to classical search algorithms from N to √N, where N is the number of items in the search space. In particular, devising searches on regular lattices has become popular in extending Grover's original algorithm to spatial searching. Working in a tight-binding setup, it could be demonstrated, theoretically, that a search is possible in the physically relevant dimensions 2 and 3 if the lattice spectrum possesses Dirac points. We present here a proof of principle experiment implementing wave search algorithms and directed wave transport in a graphene lattice arrangement. The idea is based on bringing localized search states into resonance with an extended lattice state in an energy region of low spectral density-namely, at or near the Dirac point. The experiment is implemented using classical waves in a microwave setup containing weakly coupled dielectric resonators placed in a honeycomb arrangement, i.e., artificial graphene. Furthermore, we investigate the scaling behavior experimentally using linear chains.

Quantum search on graphene lattices.

We present a continuous-time quantum search algorithm on a graphene lattice. This provides the sought-after implementation of an efficient continuous-time quantum search on a two-dimensional lattice. The search uses the linearity of the dispersion relation near the Dirac point and can find a marked site on a graphene lattice faster than the corresponding classical search. The algorithm can also be used for state transfer and communication.

Remarks on nodal volume statistics for regular and chaotic wave functions in various dimensions.

We discuss the statistical properties of the volume of the nodal set of wave functions for two paradigmatic model systems which we consider in arbitrary dimension s≥2: the cuboid as a paradigm for a regular shape with separable wave functions and planar random waves as an established model for chaotic wave functions in irregular shapes. We give explicit results for the mean and variance of the nodal volume in the arbitrary dimension, and for their limiting distribution. For the mean nodal volume, we calculate the effect of the boundary of the cuboid where Dirichlet boundary conditions reduce the nodal volume compared with the bulk. Boundary effects for chaotic wave functions are calculated using random waves which satisfy a Dirichlet boundary condition on a hyperplane. We put forward several conjectures on what properties of cuboids generalize to general regular shapes with separable wave functions and what properties of random waves can be expected for general irregular shapes. These universal features clearly distinguish between the two cases.

Subdeterminant approach for pseudo-orbit expansions of spectral determinants in quantum maps and quantum graphs.

We study the implications of unitarity for pseudo-orbit expansions of the spectral determinants of quantum maps and quantum graphs. In particular, we advocate to group pseudo-orbits into subdeterminants. We show explicitly that the cancellation of long orbits is elegantly described on this level and that unitarity can be built in using a simple subdeterminant identity which has a nontrivial interpretation in terms of pseudo-orbits. This identity yields much more detailed relations between pseudo-orbits of different lengths than was known previously. We reformulate Newton identities and the spectral density in terms of subdeterminant expansions and point out the implications of the subdeterminant identity for these expressions. We analyze furthermore the effect of the identity on spectral correlation functions such as the autocorrelation and parametric cross-correlation functions of the spectral determinant and the spectral form factor.

Topological resonances in scattering on networks (graphs).

We report on a hitherto unnoticed type of resonances occurring in scattering from networks (quantum graphs) which are due to the complex connectivity of the graph-its topology. We consider generic open graphs and show that any cycle leads to narrow resonances which do not fit in any of the prominent paradigms for narrow resonances (classical barriers, localization due to disorder, chaotic scattering). We call these resonances "topological" to emphasize their origin in the nontrivial connectivity. Topological resonances have a clear and unique signature which is apparent in the statistics of the resonance parameters (such as, e.g., the width, the delay time, or the wave-function intensity in the graph). We discuss this phenomenon by providing analytical arguments supported by numerical simulation, and identify the features of the above distributions which depend on genuine topological quantities such as the length of the shortest cycle (girth). These signatures cannot be explained using any of the other paradigms for narrow resonances. Finally, we propose an experimental setting where the topological resonances could be demonstrated, and study the stability of the relevant distribution functions to moderate dissipation.

Can one count the shape of a drum?

Sequences of nodal counts store information on the geometry (metric) of the domain where the wave equation is considered. To demonstrate this statement, we consider the eigenfunctions of the Laplace-Beltrami operator on surfaces of revolution. Arranging the wave functions by increasing values of the eigenvalues, and counting the number of their nodal domains, we obtain the nodal sequence whose properties we study. This sequence is expressed as a trace formula, which consists of a smooth (Weyl-like) part which depends on global geometrical parameters, and a fluctuating part, which involves the classical periodic orbits on the torus and their actions (lengths). The geometrical content of the nodal sequence is thus explicitly revealed.

Spectral correlations of individual quantum graphs.

We investigate the spectral properties of chaotic quantum graphs. We demonstrate that the energy-average over the spectrum of individual graphs can be traded for the functional average over a supersymmetric nonlinear -model action. This proves that spectral correlations of individual quantum graphs behave according to the predictions of Wigner-Dyson random matrix theory. We explore the stability of the universal random matrix behavior with regard to perturbations, and discuss the crossover between different types of symmetries.

Universal spectral statistics in quantum graphs.

We prove that the spectrum of an individual chaotic quantum graph shows universal spectral correlations, as predicted by random-matrix theory. The stability of these correlations with regard to nonuniversal corrections is analyzed in terms of the linear operator governing the classical dynamics on the graph.

Universal spectral statistics in Wigner-Dyson, chiral, and Andreev star graphs. I. Construction and numerical results.

In a series of two papers we investigate the universal spectral statistics of chaotic quantum systems in the ten known symmetry classes of quantum mechanics. In this first paper we focus on the construction of appropriate ensembles of star graphs in the ten symmetry classes. A generalization of the Bohigas-Giannoni-Schmit conjecture is given that covers all these symmetry classes. The conjecture is supported by numerical results that demonstrate the fidelity of the spectral statistics of star graphs to the corresponding Gaussian random-matrix theories.

Universal spectral statistics in Wigner-Dyson, chiral, and Andreev star graphs. II. Semiclassical approach.

A semiclassical approach to the universal ergodic spectral statistics in quantum star graphs is presented for all known ten symmetry classes of quantum systems. The approach is based on periodic orbit theory, the exact semiclassical trace formula for star graphs, and on diagrammatic techniques. The appropriate spectral form factors are calculated up to one order beyond the diagonal and self-dual approximations. The results are in accordance with the corresponding random-matrix theories which supports a properly generalized Bohigas-Giannoni-Schmit conjecture.

Universal spectral statistics of Andreev billiards: semiclassical approach.

The symmetry classification of complex quantum systems has recently been extended beyond the Wigner-Dyson classes. Several of the novel symmetry classes can be discussed naturally in the context of superconducting-normal hybrid systems such as Andreev billiards and graphs. In this paper, we give a semiclassical interpretation of their universal spectral form factors in the ergodic limit.

Nodal domains statistics: a criterion for quantum chaos.

We consider the distribution of the (properly normalized) numbers of nodal domains of wave functions in 2D quantum billiards. We show that these distributions distinguish clearly between systems with integrable (separable) or chaotic underlying classical dynamics, and for each case the limiting distribution is universal (system independent). Thus, a new criterion for quantum chaos is provided by the statistics of the wave functions, which complements the well-established criterion based on spectral statistics.