The quantum resonances of classically chaotic $n$ -disk geometries were studied experimentally utilizing thin 2D microwave geometries. The experiments yield the frequencies and widths of low-lying resonances, which are compared with semiclassical calculations. The long time or small energy behavior of the wave-vector autocorrelation gives information about the quantum decay rate, which is in good agreement with that obtained from classical scattering theory. The intermediate energy behavior shows nonuniversal oscillations determined by periodic orbits.The quantum resonances of classically chaotic $n$-disk geometries were studied experimentally utilizing thin 2D microwave geometries. The experiments yield the frequencies and widths of low-lying resonances, which are compared with semiclassical calculations. The long time or small energy behavior of the wave-vector autocorrelation gives information about the quantum decay rate, which is in good agreement with that obtained from classical scattering theory. The intermediate energy behavior shows nonuniversal oscillations determined by periodic orbits.

arXiv:chao-dyn/9902002Physical Review LettersJun 28, 199931 citations

Double-slit experiments and decay probability in microwave billiards

P. Oria Iriarte

The present doctoral thesis is concerned, on the one hand, with the investigation of the decay probability in a quantum billiard, and, on the other, the realization of the double-slit experiment in microwave billiards. For both purposes transmission elements of the scattering matrix are experimentally measured in microwave cavities with regular and chaotic dynamics. One or more pieces of the billiards' boundary are removed and the leaked outward eld is investigated. The general aim is to distinguish the eect of the billiard dynamics on the temporal decay behaviour and on the interference patterns. The decay probability in an open quantum billiard can be explored by means of the scattering matrix formalismus derived in the framework of nuclear physics. In a circular billiard, archetype of regular systems, the opening breaks the spatial symmetry causing a splitting of the degenerate states observable at low frequencies. One state of the doublet remains unaected contributing to the long-time behavior inside the cavity (survival probability), while the short-lived one is strongly influenced by the opening and decays much faster. The case of chaotic dynamics is studied by means of a tilted stadium billiard. For sufficiently long times the decay probability shows an essentially nonexponential behaviour. Agreement with theoretical results derived by Harney, Dittes and Muller is obtained for a few of the open channels and intermediate times. For both, the circle and the stadium,the short time decay resembles the classical behaviour. Furthermore, a double-slit experiment is performed with a wave packet starting inside a microwave billiard domain, both for regular and chaotic dynamics. Stationary and temporal patterns formed by the leaking of the wave packet are experimentally determined. The evolution of a directed initial state is constructed by means of the electromagnetic propagator. Also single-slit experiments are carried out and compared with the corresponding double-slit experiments. The present work sheds light on the fundamental question of the decay of open quantum systems and provides plentiful information about the structure of the diracted eld from microwave billards with a double-slit on the boundary connecting classical properties with the corresponding quantum features in both cases.The present doctoral thesis is concerned, on the one hand, with the investigation of the decay probability in a quantum billiard, and, on the other, the realization of the double-slit experiment in microwave billiards. For both purposes transmission elements of the scattering matrix are experimentally measured in microwave cavities with regular and chaotic dynamics. One or more pieces of the billiards' boundary are removed and the leaked outward eld is investigated. The general aim is to distinguish the eect of the billiard dynamics on the temporal decay behaviour and on the interference patterns. The decay probability in an open quantum billiard can be explored by means of the scattering matrix formalismus derived in the framework of nuclear physics. In a circular billiard, archetype of regular systems, the opening breaks the spatial symmetry causing a splitting of the degenerate states observable at low frequencies. One state of the doublet remains unaected contributing to the long-time behavior inside the cavity (survival probability), while the short-lived one is strongly influenced by the opening and decays much faster. The case of chaotic dynamics is studied by means of a tilted stadium billiard. For sufficiently long times the decay probability shows an essentially nonexponential behaviour. Agreement with theoretical results derived by Harney, Dittes and Muller is obtained for a few of the open channels and intermediate times. For both, the circle and the stadium,the short time decay resembles the classical behaviour. Furthermore, a double-slit experiment is performed with a wave packet starting inside a microwave billiard domain, both for regular and chaotic dynamics. Stationary and temporal patterns formed by the leaking of the wave packet are experimentally determined. The evolution of a directed initial state is constructed by means of the electromagnetic propagator. Also single-slit experiments are carried out and compared with the corresponding double-slit experiments. The present work sheds light on the fundamental question of the decay of open quantum systems and provides plentiful information about the structure of the diracted eld from microwave billards with a double-slit on the boundary connecting classical properties with the corresponding quantum features in both cases.

Oct 1, 20101 citation

The quantum resonances of classically chaotic

n

-disk geometries were studied experimentally utilizing thin 2D microwave geometries. The experiments yield the frequencies and widths of low-lying resonances, which are compared with semiclassical calculations. The long time or small energy behavior of the wave-vector autocorrelation gives information about the quantum decay rate, which is in good agreement with that obtained from classical scattering theory. The intermediate energy behavior shows nonuniversal oscillations determined by periodic orbits.