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A. Richter

Publications and source records attributed to A. Richter.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Experimental test of a trace formula for two-dimensional dielectric resonators

Resonance spectra of two-dimensional dielectric microwave resonators of circular and square shapes have been measured. The deduced length spectra of periodic orbits were analyzed and a trace formula for dielectric resonators recently proposed by Bogomolny et al. [Phys. Rev. E 78, 056202 (2008)] was tested. The observed deviations between the experimental length spectra and the predictions of the trace formula are attributed to a large number of missing resonances in the measured spectra. We show that by taking into account the systematics of observed and missing resonances the experimental length spectra are fully understood. In particular, a connection between the most long-lived resonances and certain periodic orbits is established experimentally.

nlin.CD↗

Pair decay width of the Hoyle state and carbon production in stars

Electron scattering off the first excited 0+ state in 12C (the Hoyle state) has been performed at low momentum transfers at the S-DALINAC. The new data together with a novel model-independent analysis of the world data set covering a wide momentum transfer range result in a highly improved transition charge density from which a pair decay width Gamma_pi = (62.3 +- 2.0) micro-eV of the Hoyle state was extracted reducing the uncertainty of the literature values by more than a factor of three. A precise knowledge of Gamma_pi is mandatory for quantitative studies of some key issues in the modeling of supernovae and of asymptotic giant branch stars, the most likely site of the slow-neutron nucleosynthesis process.

nucl-ex↗

Observation of a Dirac point in microwave experiments with a photonic crystal modeling graphene

We present measurements of transmission and reflection spectra of a microwave photonic crystal composed of 874 metallic cylinders arranged in a triangular lattice. The spectra show clear evidence of a Dirac point, a characteristic of a spectrum of relativistic massless fermions. In fact, Dirac points are a peculiar property of the electronic band structure of graphene, whose properties consequently can be described by the relativistic Dirac equation. In the vicinity of the Dirac point, the measured reflection spectra resemble those obtained by conductance measurements in scanning tunneling microscopy of graphene flakes.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Quantum Chaotic Scattering in Microwave Resonators

In a frequency range where a microwave resonator simulates a chaotic quantum billiard, we have measured moduli and phases of reflection and transmission amplitudes in the regimes of both isolated and of weakly overlapping resonances and for resonators with and without time-reversal invariance. Statistical measures for S-matrix fluctuations were determined from the data and compared with extant and/or newly derived theoretical results obtained from the random-matrix approach to quantum chaotic scattering. The latter contained a small number of fit parameters. The large data sets taken made it possible to test the theoretical expressions with unprecedented accuracy. The theory is confirmed by both, a goodness-of-fit-test and the agreement of predicted values for those statistical measures that were not used for the fits, with the data.

nlin.CD↗

Random Matrices and Chaos in Nuclear Physics: Nuclear Reactions

The application of random-matrix theory (RMT) to compound-nucleus (CN) reactions is reviewed. An introduction into the basic concepts of nuclear scattering theory is followed by a survey of phenomenological approaches to CN scattering. The implementation of a random-matrix approach into scattering theory leads to a statistical theory of CN reactions. Since RMT applies generically to chaotic quantum systems, that theory is, at the same time, a generic theory of quantum chaotic scattering. It uses a minimum of input parameters (average S-matrix and mean level spacing of the CN). Predictions of the theory are derived with the help of field-theoretical methods adapted from condensed-matter physics and compared with those of phenomenological approaches. Thorough tests of the theory are reviewed, as are applications in nuclear physics, with special attention given to violation of symmetries (isospin, parity) and time-reversal invariance.

nucl-th↗

Cross-Section Fluctuations in Chaotic Scattering

For the theoretical prediction of cross-section fluctuations in chaotic scattering, the cross-section autocorrelation function is needed. That function is not known analytically. Using experimental data and numerical simulations, we show that an analytical approximation to the cross-section autocorrelation function can be obtained with the help of expressions first derived by Davis and Boose. Given the values of the average S-matrix elements and the mean level density of the scattering system, one can then reliably predict cross-section fluctuations.

nlin.CD↗

Friedel Oscillations in Microwave Billiards

Friedel oscillations of electron densities near step edges have an analog in microwave billiards. A random plane wave model, normally only appropriate for the eigenfunctions of a purely chaotic system, can be applied and is tested for non-purely-chaotic dynamical systems with measurements on pseudo-integrable and mixed dynamics geometries. It is found that the oscillations in the pseudo-integrable microwave cavity matches the random plane-wave modeling. Separating the chaotic from the regular states for the mixed system requires incorporating an appropriate phase space projection into the modeling in multiple ways for good agreement with experiment.

nlin.CD↗

Nonperiodic echoes from quantum mushroom billiard hats

Nonperiodic tunable quantum echoes have been observed in experiments with an open microwave billiard whose geometry under certain conditions provides Fibonacci like sequences of classical delay times. These sequences combined with the reflection at the opening induced by the wave character of the experiment and the size of the opening allow to shape quantum pulses. The pulses are obtained by response of an integrable scattering system.

nlin.CD↗

Experimental Test of a Two-dimensional Approximation for Dielectric Microcavities

Open dielectric resonators of different shapes are widely used for the manufacture of microlasers. A precise determination of their resonance frequencies and widths is crucial for their design. Most microlasers have a flat cylindrical geometry, and a two-dimensional approximation, the so-called method of the effective index of refraction, is commonly employed for numerical calculations. Our aim has been an experimental test of the precision and applicability of a model based on this approximation. We performed very thorough and accurate measurements of the resonance frequencies and widths of two passive circular dielectric microwave resonators and found significant deviations from the model predictions. From this we conclude that the model generally fails in the quantitative description of three-dimensional dielectric resonators.

physics.optics↗

Comment on "138La-138Ce-136Ce nuclear cosmochronometer of the supernova neutrino process"

The nuclear chosmochronometer suggested by Hayakawa et al. [Phys. Rev.C 77, 065802 (2008)] based on the 138La-138Ce-136Ce abundance ratio in presolar grains would be affected by the existence of a hitherto unknown low-energy 1+ state in 138La. Results of a recent high-resolution study of the 138Ba(3He,t) reaction under kinematics selectively populating 1+ states in 138La through Gamow-Teller transitions provides strong evidence against the existence of such a hypothetical state.

astro-ph.SR↗

Excitation energy and strength of the pygmy dipole resonance in stable tin isotopes

The $^{112,120}$Sn$(γ,γ')$ reactions have been studied at the S-DALINAC. Electric dipole (E1) strength distributions have been determined including contributions from unresolved strength extracted by a fluctuation analysis. Together with available data on $^{116,124}$Sn, an experimental systematics of the pygmy dipole resonance (PDR) in stable even-mass tin isotopes is established. The PDR centroid excitation energies and summed strengths are in reasonable agreement with quasiparticle-phonon model calculations based on a nonrelativistic description of the mean field but disagree with relativistic quasiparticle random-phase approximation predictions.

nucl-ex↗

Chaotic Scattering in the Regime of Weakly Overlapping Resonances

We measure the transmission and reflection amplitudes of microwaves in a resonator coupled to two antennas at room temperature in the regime of weakly overlapping resonances and in a frequency range of 3 to 16 GHz. Below 10.1 GHz the resonator simulates a chaotic quantum system. The distribution of the elements of the scattering matrix S is not Gaussian. The Fourier coefficients of S are used for a best fit of the autocorrelation function if S to a theoretical expression based on random--matrix theory. We find very good agreement below but not above 10.1 GHz.

nlin.CD↗

Superscars in billiards -- A model for doorway states in quantum spectra

In a unifying way, the doorway mechanism explains spectral properties in a rich variety of open mesoscopic quantum systems, ranging from atoms to nuclei. A distinct state and a background of other states couple to each other which sensitively affects the strength function. The recently measured superscars in the barrier billiard provide an ideal model for an in--depth investigation of this mechanism. We introduce two new statistical observables, the full distribution of the maximum coupling coefficient to the doorway and directed spatial correlators. Using Random Matrix Theory and random plane waves, we obtain a consistent understanding of the experimental data.

nlin.CD↗

Bouncing ball orbits and symmetry breaking effects in a three-dimensional chaotic billiard

We study the classical and quantum mechanics of a three-dimensional stadium billiard. It consists of two quarter cylinders that are rotated with respect to each other by 90 degrees, and it is classically chaotic. The billiard exhibits only a few families of nongeneric periodic orbits. We introduce an analytic method for their treatment. The length spectrum can be understood in terms of the nongeneric and unstable periodic orbits. For unequal radii of the quarter cylinders the level statistics agree well with predictions from random matrix theory. For equal radii the billiard exhibits an additional symmetry. We investigated the effects of symmetry breaking on spectral properties. Moreover, for equal radii, we observe a small deviation of the level statistics from random matrix theory. This led to the discovery of stable and marginally stable orbits, which are absent for un equal radii.

nlin.CD↗

Spectral fluctuations of billiards with mixed dynamics: from time series to superstatistics

A statistical analysis of the eigenfrequencies of two sets of superconducting microwave billiards, one with mushroom-like shape and the other from the familiy of the Limacon billiards, is presented. These billiards have mixed regular-chaotic dynamics but different structures in their classical phase spaces. The spectrum of each billiard is represented as a time series where the level order plays the role of time. Two most important findings follow from the time-series analysis. First, the spectra can be characterized by two distinct relaxation lengths. This is a prerequisite for the validity of the superstatistical approach which is based on the folding of two distribution functions. Second, the shape of the resulting probability density function of the so-called superstatistical parameter is reasonably approximated by an inverse chi-square distribution. This distribution is used to compute nearest-neighbor spacing distributions and compare them with those of the resonance frequencies of billiards with mixed dynamics within the framework of superstatistics. The obtained spacing distribution is found to present a good description of the experimental ones and is of the same or even better quality as a number of other spacing distributions, including the one from Berry and Robnik. However, in contrast to other approaches towards a theoretical description of spectral properties of systems with mixed dynamics, superstatistics also provides a description of properties of the eigenfunctions. Indeed, the inverse chi-square parameter distribution is found suitable for the analysis of experimental resonance strengths in the Limacon billiards within the framework of superstatistics.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

Prevalence of marginally unstable periodic orbits in chaotic billiards

The dynamics of chaotic billiards is significantly influenced by coexisting regions of regular motion. Here we investigate the prevalence of a different fundamental structure, which is formed by marginally unstable periodic orbits and stands apart from the regular regions. We show that these structures both {\it exist} and {\it strongly influence} the dynamics of locally perturbed billiards, which include a large class of widely studied systems. We demonstrate the impact of these structures in the quantum regime using microwave experiments in annular billiards.

nlin.CD↗

Spectral properties of Bunimovich mushroom billiards

Properties of a quantum mushroom billiard in the form of a superconducting microwave resonator have been investigated. They reveal unexpected nonuniversal features such as, e.g., a supershell effect in the level density and a dip in the nearest-neighbor spacing distribution. Theoretical predictions for the quantum properties of mixed systems rely on the sharp separability of phase space - an unusual property met by mushroom billiards. We however find deviations which are ascribed to the presence of dynamic tunneling.

nlin.CD↗

Induced Time-Reversal Symmetry Breaking Observed in Microwave Billiards

Using reciprocity, we investigate the breaking of time-reversal (T) symmetry due to a ferrite embedded in a flat microwave billiard. Transmission spectra of isolated single resonances are not sensitive to T-violation whereas those of pairs of nearly degenerate resonances do depend on the direction of time. For their theoretical description a scattering matrix model from nuclear physics is used. The T-violating matrix elements of the effective Hamiltonian for the microwave billiard with the embedded ferrite are determined experimentally as functions of the magnetization of the ferrite.

cond-mat.other↗