Physical Review A
Generalized coherent-state analysis of semiclassical quantum chaos for an angular momentumJin a resonant cavity
Ronald F. Fox
Abstract
An angular momentum J in a resonant-cavity electromagnetic field exhibits chaos in the time dependence of the expectation value of ${\mathit{J}}_{\mathit{z}}$. This fact is transparently demonstrated using the SU(2) generalized coherent-state picture. Using Hale's averaging theorem, the mechanism of chaos is elucidated and found to be equivalent to a periodically modulated, near-separatrix, pendulum motion. The rotating-wave approximation is also elucidated, and its nonchaos is explained. The modulations that cause chaos result from virtual transitions, and the variance of ${\mathit{J}}_{\mathit{z}}$ initially grows exponentially.