A generalized fidelity amplitude for open systems.

We consider a central system which is coupled via dephasing to an open system, i.e. an intermediate system which in turn is coupled to another environment. Considering the intermediate and far environment as one composite system, the coherences in the central system are given in the form of fidelity amplitudes for a certain perturbed echo dynamics in the composite environment. On the basis of the Born-Markov approximation, we derive a master equation for the reduction of that dynamics to the intermediate system alone. In distinction to an earlier paper (Moreno et al 2015 Phys. Rev. A 92, 030104. (doi:10.1103/PhysRevA.92.030104)), where we discussed the stabilizing effect of the far environment on the decoherence in the central system, we focus here on the possibility of using the measurable coherences in the central system for probing the open quantum dynamics in the intermediate system. We illustrate our results for the case of chaotic dynamics in the near environment, where we compare random matrix simulations with our analytical result.

Scattering approach to fidelity decay in closed systems and parametric level correlations.

Based on an exact analytical approach to describe scattering fidelity experiments [Köber et al., Phys. Rev. E 82, 036207 (2010)], we obtain an expression for the fidelity amplitude decay of quantum chaotic or diffusive systems under arbitrary Hermitian perturbations. This allows us to rederive previous separately obtained results in a simpler and unified manner, as is shown explicitly for the case of a global perturbation. The general expression is also used to derive a so far unpublished exact analytical formula for the case of a moving S-wave scatterer. In the second part of the paper, we extend a relation between fidelity decay and parametric level correlations from the universal case of global perturbations to an arbitrary combination of global and local perturbations. Thereby, the relation becomes a versatile tool for the analysis of unknown perturbations.

Mode-resolved travel-time statistics for elastic rays in three-dimensional billiards.

We consider the ray limit of propagating ultrasound waves in three-dimensional bodies made from a homogeneous, isotropic, elastic material. Using a Monte Carlo approach, we simulate the propagation and proliferation of elastic rays using realistic angle-dependent reflection coefficients, taking into account mode conversion and ray splitting. For a few simple geometries, we analyze the long-time equilibrium distribution, focusing on the energy ratio between compressional and shear waves. Finally, we study the travel time statistics, i.e., the distribution of the amount of time a given trajectory spends as a compressional wave, as compared to the total travel time. These results are intimately related to recent elastodynamics experiments on Coda-wave interferometry by Lobkis and Weaver [Phys. Rev. E 78, 066212 (2008)].

Microwave fidelity studies by varying antenna coupling.

The fidelity decay in a microwave billiard is considered, where the coupling to an attached antenna is varied. The resulting quantity, coupling fidelity, is experimentally studied for three different terminators of the varied antenna: a hard-wall reflection, an open wall reflection, and a 50 Ω load, corresponding to a totally open channel. The model description in terms of an effective Hamiltonian with a complex coupling constant is given. Quantitative agreement is found with the theory obtained from a modified VWZ approach [J. J. M. Verbaarschot, Phys. Rep. 129, 367 (1985)].

Long-time signatures of short-time dynamics in decaying quantum-chaotic systems.

We analyze the decay of classically chaotic quantum systems in the presence of fast ballistic escape routes on the Ehrenfest time scale. For a continuous excitation process, the form factor of the decay cross section deviates from the universal random-matrix result on the Heisenberg time scale, i.e., for times much larger than the time for ballistic escape. We derive an exact analytical description and compare our results with numerical simulations for a dynamical model.

Anomalous slow fidelity decay for symmetry-breaking perturbations.

Symmetries as well as other special conditions can cause anomalous slowing down of fidelity decay. These situations will be characterized, and a family of random matrix models to emulate them generically presented. An analytic solution based on exponentiated linear response will be given. For one representative case the exact solution is obtained from a supersymmetric calculation. The results agree well with dynamical calculations for a kicked top.

Scattering fidelity in elastodynamics.

The recent introduction of the concept of scattering fidelity causes us to revisit the experiment by Lobkis and Weaver [Phys. Rev. Lett. 90, 254302 (2003)]. There, the "distortion" of the coda of an acoustic signal is measured under temperature changes. This quantity is, in fact, the negative logarithm of scattering fidelity. We reanalyze their experimental data for two samples, and we find good agreement with random matrix predictions for the standard fidelity. Usually, one may expect such an agreement for chaotic systems, only. While the first sample may indeed be assumed chaotic, for the second sample, a perfect cuboid, such an agreement is surprising. For the first sample, the random matrix analysis yields perturbation strengths compatible with semiclassical predictions. For the cuboid, the measured perturbation strengths are by a common factor of 5/3 too large. Apart from that, the experimental curves for the distortion are well reproduced.

Experimental verification of fidelity decay: from perturbative to fermi golden rule regime.

The scattering matrix was measured for a flat microwave cavity with classically chaotic dynamics. The system can be perturbed by small changes of the geometry. We define the "scattering fidelity" in terms of parametric correlation functions of scattering matrix elements. In chaotic systems and for weak coupling, the scattering fidelity approaches the fidelity of the closed system. Without free parameters, the experimental results agree with random matrix theory in a wide range of perturbation strengths, reaching from the perturbative to the Fermi golden rule regime.

Signatures of the correlation hole in total and partial cross sections.

In a complex scattering system with few open channels, say a quantum dot with leads, the correlation properties of the poles of the scattering matrix are most directly related to the internal dynamics of the system. We may ask how to extract these properties from an analysis of cross sections. In general this is very difficult, if we leave the domain of isolated resonances. We propose to consider the cross correlation function of two different elastic or total cross sections. For these we can show numerically and to some extent also analytically a significant dependence on the correlations between the scattering poles. The difference between uncorrelated and strongly correlated poles is clearly visible, even for strongly overlapping resonances.

Comment on "Models of intermediate spectral statistics".

In this Comment we point out that the semi-Poisson is well suited only as a reference point for the so-called "intermediate statistics," which cannot be interpreted as a universal ensemble, like the Gaussian orthogonal ensemble or the Poissonian statistics. In Ref. 2 it was proposed that the nearest-neighbor distribution P(s) of the spectrum of a Poissonian distributed matrix perturbed by a rank one matrix is similar to the semi-Poisson distribution. We show, however, that the P(s) of this model differs considerably in many aspects from the semi-Poisson. In addition, we give an asymptotic formula for P(s) as s-->0, which gives P'(0)=pisqrt[3]/2 for the slope at s=0. This is different not only from the GOE case, but also from the semi-Poisson prediction.