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Physical Review E

Complexity of quantum states in the two-dimensional pairing model

J. R. Armstrong, Sven Åberg, S. M. Reimann, Vladimir Zelevinsky

Published Dec 5, 2012• 13 citations
Publisher

Abstract

It is known that many-fermion systems, such as complex atoms and nuclei, reveal (at some level of excitation energy) local signatures of quantum chaos similar to the predictions of random matrix theory. Here, we study the gradual development of such signatures in a model system of up to 16 fermions interacting through short-range pairing-type forces in a two-dimensional harmonic trap. We proceed from the simplest characteristics of the level spacing distribution to the complexity of eigenstates, strength, and correlation functions. For increasing pairing strength, at first, chaotic signatures gradually appear. However, when the pairing force dominates the Hamiltonian, we see a regression towards regularity. We introduce a "phase correlator" that allows us to distinguish the complexity of a quantum state that originates from its collective nature, from the complexity originating from quantum chaos.

DOI
10.1103/physreve.86.066204

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We investigate signatures of quantum chaos within Ising spin chains subjected to transverse and longitudinal fields, incorporating both local (nearest-neighbor) and non-local (long-range) couplings. While local Ising models may exhibit integrable or chaotic dynamics contingent on interaction strengths and field parameters, systems with non-local interactions generally display a stronger propensity toward chaos, even when the non-local couplings are weak. By examining the distribution of energy level spacings through the level spacing ratio, we delineate the transition from integrable to chaotic regimes and characterize the emergence of quantum chaos in these systems. Our analysis demonstrates that non-local couplings facilitate faster operator spreading and more intricate dynamical behavior, enabling these systems to approach maximal chaos more readily than their local counterparts. Additionally, we analyze Krylov complexity as a dynamical probe of chaos, observing a characteristic peak followed by a plateau at late times in chaotic regimes. This behavior provides a quantitative means to distinguish between integrable and chaotic phases, with the growth rate and saturation level of the complexity serving as effective indicators. Our findings underscore the role of non-local interactions in accelerating the onset of chaos and modifying dynamical complexity in quantum spin chains.
The full spectrum of a single hole in a quantum antiferromagnetic background (t-Jz{\mathit{J}}_{\mathit{z}}Jz​-${\mathit{J}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\perp}}}$ model) is obtained by complete exact diagonalization of small two-dimensional clusters. Various statistical properties of the spectrum are investigated. On a very wide range of the parameters the level-spacing distribution follows Gaussian-orthogonal-ensemble Wigner law characteristic of chaotic spectra. At small separation, the spectral rigidity follows the universal behavior described by random-matrix theory and presents deviations at higher energies. We argue that quantum chaos is a generic feature of complex (i.e., nonintegrable) strongly correlated fermion systems. Our results suggest that random-matrix theory might be useful to investigate the incoherent part of dynamical correlation functions (such as the hole spectral density or the spin structure factor).
A theory of strongly interacting Fermi systems of a few particles is developed.At high excitation energies (a few times the single-particle level spacing) these systems are characterized by an extreme degree of complexity due to strong mixing of the shell-model-based many-particle basis states by the residual twobody interaction.This regime can be described as many-body quantum chaos.Practically, it occurs when the excitation energy of the system is greater than a few single-particle level spacings near the Fermi energy.Physical examples of such systems are compound nuclei, heavy open shell atoms (e.g.rare earths) and multicharged ions, molecules, clusters and quantum dots in solids.The main quantity of the theory is the strength function which describes spreading of the eigenstates over many-particle basis states (determinants) constructed using the shell-model orbital basis.A nonlinear equation for the strength function is derived, which enables one to describe the eigenstates without diagonalization of the Hamiltonian matrix.We show how to use this approach to calculate mean orbital occupation numbers and matrix elements between chaotic eigenstates and introduce typically statistical variables such as temperature in an isolated microscopic Fermi system of a few particles.
A theory of strongly interacting Fermi systems of a few particles is developed. At high excitation energies (a few times the single-particle level spacing) these systems are characterized by an extreme degree of complexity due to strong mixing of the shell-model-based many-particle basis states by the residual two-body interaction. This regime can be described as many-body quantum chaos. Practically, it occurs when the excitation energy of the system is greater than a few single-particle level spacings near the Fermi energy. Physical examples of such systems are compound nuclei, heavy open shell atoms (e.g. rare earths) and multicharged ions, molecules, clusters and quantum dots in solids. The main quantity of the theory is the strength function which describes spreading of the eigenstates over many-particle basis states (determinants) constructed using the shell-model orbital basis. A nonlinear equation for the strength function is derived, which enables one to describe the eigenstates without diagonalization of the Hamiltonian matrix. We show how to use this approach to calculate mean orbital occupation numbers and matrix elements between chaotic eigenstates and introduce typically statistical variables such as temperature in an isolated microscopic Fermi system of a few particles.
The apparent randomness of chaotic eigenstates in interacting quantum systems hides subtle correlations dynamically imposed by their finite energy per particle. These correlations are revealed when Berry's approach for chaotic eigenfunctions in single-particle systems is lifted into many-body space. We achieve this by a many-body semiclassical analysis, appropriate for the mesoscopic regime of a large but finite number of particles. We thereby identify as signatures of chaotic many-body eigenstates the universality of both their cross-correlations and the Gaussian distribution of expansion coefficients. Combined, these two features imprint characteristic features to the morphology of eigenstates that we check against extensive quantum simulations. The universality of eigenstate correlations for fixed energy density is hence a further signature of many-body quantum chaos that, while consistent with the eigenstate thermalization hypothesis, lies beyond random matrix theory.
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