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.

Quantum chaos and effective thermalization.

We demonstrate effective equilibration for unitary quantum dynamics under conditions of classical chaos. Focusing on the paradigmatic example of the Dicke model, we show how a constructive description of the thermalization process is facilitated by the Glauber Q or Husimi function, for which the evolution equation turns out to be of Fokker-Planck type. The equation describes a competition of classical drift and quantum diffusion in contractive and expansive directions. By this mechanism the system follows a "quantum smoothened" approach to equilibrium, which avoids the notorious singularities inherent to classical chaotic flows.

Periodic-orbit theory of level correlations.

We present a semiclassical explanation of the so-called Bohigas-Giannoni-Schmit conjecture which asserts universality of spectral fluctuations in chaotic dynamics. We work with a generating function whose semiclassical limit is determined by quadruplets of sets of periodic orbits. The asymptotic expansions of both the nonoscillatory and the oscillatory part of the universal spectral correlator are obtained. Borel summation of the series reproduces the exact correlator of random-matrix theory.

Semiclassical theory of chaotic conductors.

We calculate the Landauer conductance through chaotic ballistic devices in the semiclassical limit, to all orders in the inverse number of scattering channels without and with a magnetic field. Families of pairs of entrance-to-exit trajectories contribute, similarly to the pairs of periodic orbits making up the small-time expansion of the spectral form factor of chaotic dynamics. As a clue to the exact result we find that close self-encounters slightly hinder the escape of trajectories into leads. Our result explains why the energy-averaged conductance of individual chaotic cavities, with disorder or "clean," agrees with predictions of random-matrix theory.

Periodic-orbit theory of universality in quantum chaos.

We argue semiclassically, on the basis of Gutzwiller's periodic-orbit theory, that full classical chaos is paralleled by quantum energy spectra with universal spectral statistics, in agreement with random-matrix theory. For dynamics from all three Wigner-Dyson symmetry classes, we calculate the small-time spectral form factor K(tau) as power series in the time tau. Each term tau(n) of that series is provided by specific families of pairs of periodic orbits. The contributing pairs are classified in terms of close self-encounters in phase space. The frequency of occurrence of self-encounters is calculated by invoking ergodicity. Combinatorial rules for building pairs involve nontrivial properties of permutations. We show our series to be equivalent to perturbative implementations of the nonlinear sigma models for the Wigner-Dyson ensembles of random matrices and for disordered systems; our families of orbit pairs have a one-to-one relationship with Feynman diagrams known from the sigma model.

Quantization of classical maps with tunable Ruelle-Pollicott resonances.

We investigate the correspondence between the decay of correlation in classical systems, governed by Ruelle-Pollicott resonances, and the properties of the corresponding quantum systems. For this purpose we construct classical dynamics with controllable resonances together with their quantum counterparts. As an application of such tunable resonances we reveal the role of Ruelle-Pollicott resonances for the localization properties of quantum energy eigenstates.

Field quantization for chaotic resonators with overlapping modes.

Feshbach's projector technique is employed to quantize the electromagnetic field in optical resonators with an arbitrary number of escape channels. We find spectrally overlapping resonator modes coupled due to the damping and noise inflicted by the external radiation field. For wave chaotic resonators the mode dynamics is determined by a non-Hermitean random matrix. Upon including an amplifying medium, our dynamics of open-resonator modes may serve as a starting point for a quantum theory of random lasing.