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arXiv:cond-mat/9707206 · Physical review. E, Statistical physics, plasmas, fluids, and related interdisciplinary topics

Quantum relaxation in open chaotic systems

Klaus M. Frahm

Published Dec 1, 1997• 21 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Using the supersymmetry technique, we analytically derive the recent result of Casati, Maspero, and Shepelyansky [Phys. Rev. E 56, R6233 (1997)] according to which the quantum dynamics of open chaotic systems follows the classical decay up to a new quantum relaxation time scale ${t}_{q}\ensuremath{\sim}\sqrt{{t}_{c}{t}_{H}}.$ This scale is larger than the classical escape time ${t}_{c}$ but still much smaller than the Heisenberg time ${t}_{H}.$ For systems with orthogonal or unitary symmetry the quantum decay is slower than the classical one while for the symplectic case there is an intermediate regime in which the quantum decay is slightly faster.

DOI
10.1103/physreve.56.r6237

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Using the supersymmetry technique, we analytically derive the recent result of Casati, Maspero, and Shepelyansky [Phys. Rev. E 56, R6233 (1997)] according to which the quantum dynamics of open chaotic systems follows the classical decay up to a new quantum relaxation time scale tq\ensuremath∼tctH.{t}_{q}\ensuremath{\sim}\sqrt{{t}_{c}{t}_{H}}.tq​\ensuremath∼tc​tH​​. This scale is larger than the classical escape time tc{t}_{c}tc​ but still much smaller than the Heisenberg time tH.{t}_{H}.tH​. For systems with orthogonal or unitary symmetry the quantum decay is slower than the classical one while for the symplectic case there is an intermediate regime in which the quantum decay is slightly faster.
We show that the mechanism of quantum freeze of fidelity decay for perturbations with a zero time average, recently discovered for a specific case of integrable dynamics [New J. Phys. 5, 109 (2003)], can be generalized to arbitrary quantum dynamics. We work out explicitly the case of a chaotic classical counterpart, for which we find semiclassical expressions for the value and the range of the plateau of fidelity. After the plateau ends, we find explicit expressions for the asymptotic decay, which can be exponential or Gaussian depending on the ratio of the Heisenberg time to the decay time. Arbitrary initial states can be considered; e.g., we discuss coherent states and random states.
We consider quantum decay and photofragmentation processes in open chaotic systems in the semiclassical limit. We devise a semiclassical approach which allows us to consistently calculate quantum corrections to the classical decay to high order in an expansion in the inverse Heisenberg time. We present results for systems with and without time-reversal symmetry, as well as for the symplectic case, and extend recent results to nonlocalized initial states. We further analyze related photodissociation and photoionization phenomena and semiclassically compute cross-section correlations, including their Ehrenfest-time dependence.
In the semiclassical limit of open ballistic quantum systems, we demonstrate the emergence of instantaneous decay modes guided by classical escape faster than the Ehrenfest time. The decay time of the associated quasibound states is smaller than the classical time of flight. The remaining long-lived quasibound states obey random-matrix statistics, renormalized in compliance with the recently proposed fractal Weyl law for open systems [W.T. Lu, S. Sridhar, and M. Zworski, Phys. Rev. Lett. 91, 154101 (2003)]. We validate our theory numerically for a model system, the open kicked rotator.
In a quantum many-body system, such as atoms, molecules, and atomic nuclei, interparticle interactions generate a complex quantum level scheme that can be analyzed progressively: from the simplest picture of independent quasiparticles moving in a self-consistent mean field to more complete descriptions that include residual interactions and the opening of decay channels above some excitation thresholds. Residual interactions lead to two seemingly contrasting phenomena: the emergence of collective modes (such as rotational and vibrational excitations) associated with specific symmetries, and internal thermalization, which gives rise to features of quantum chaos and causes these collective modes to damp. The picture becomes more intricate once decay channels become energetically accessible, allowing the system to decay irreversibly by means such as particle emission and thus transition to an open quantum regime. In this work, we investigate the competition between internal many-body dynamics and explicit, irreversible decay. These processes can occur on comparable timescales, leading to an initial stage of rapid dynamics followed by equilibration. We show that the decay of the faster components drives the system into an exponentially decaying regime, characterized by a noisy decay current. For this study, we adopt a general, albeit simplified, model of a collective mode embedded in a chaotic background and coupled to open decay channels. The interplay of timescales revealed in this framework appears to reflect universal features of open quantum systems.
Abstract We consider time-dependent relaxation of observables in quantum systems of chaotic and regular type. Using statistical arguments and exact numerical solutions we show that the spread of the initial wave function in the Hilbert space and the main characteristics of evolution of observables have certain generic features. The study compares examples of regular dynamics, a completely chaotic case of the Gaussian orthogonal ensemble, a bosonic system with random interactions, and a fully realistic case of the time evolution of various initial non-stationary states in the nuclear shell model. In the case of the Gaussian orthogonal ensemble we show that the survival probability obtained analytically also fully defines the relaxation timescale of observables. This is not the case in general. Using the realistic nuclear shell model and the quadrupole moment as an observable we demonstrate that the relaxation time is significantly longer than defined by the survival probability of the initial state. The full analysis does not show the presence of an analog of the Lyapunov exponent characteristic for examples of classical chaos.
Quantum systems whose classical counterparts are chaotic typically have highly correlated eigenvalues and level statistics that coincide with those from ensembles of full random matrices. A dynamical manifestation of these correlations comes in the form of the so-called correlation hole, which is a dip below the saturation point of the survival probability's time evolution. In this work, we study the correlation hole in the spin-boson (Dicke) model, which presents a chaotic regime and can be realized in experiments with ultracold atoms and ion traps. We derive an analytical expression that describes the entire evolution of the survival probability and allows us to determine the time scales of its relaxation to equilibrium. This expression shows remarkable agreement with our numerical results. While the initial decay and the time to reach the minimum of the correlation hole depend on the initial state, the dynamics beyond the hole up to equilibration is universal. We find that the relaxation time of the survival probability for the Dicke model increases linearly with system size.