arXiv subjects

Alfredo M. Ozorio de Almeida

Publications and source records attributed to Alfredo M. Ozorio de Almeida.

36 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2015

Representation of superoperators in double phase space

Operators in quantum mechanics - either observables, density or evolution operators, unitary or not - can be represented by c-numbers in operator bases. The position and momentum bases are in one to one correspondence with lagrangian planes in double phase space, but this is also true for the well known Wigner-Weyl correspondence based on translation and reflection operators. These phase space methods are here extended to the representation of superoperators. We show that the Choi-Jamiolkowsky isomorphism between the dynamical matrix and the linear action of the superoperator constitutes a "double" Wigner or chord transform when represented in double phase space. As a byproduct several previously unknown integral relationships between products of Wigner and chord distributions for pure states are derived.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2015

Semiclassical evolution of correlations between observables

The trace of an arbitrary product of quantum operators with the density operator is rendered as a multiple phase space integral of the product of their Weyl symbols with the Wigner function. Interspersing the factors with various evolution operators, one obtains an evolving correlation. The kernel for the matching multiple integral that evolves within the Weyl representation is identified with the trace of a single compound unitary operator. Its evaluation within a semiclassical approximation then becomes a sum over the periodic trajectories of the corresponding classical compound canonical transformation. The search for periodic trajectories can be bypassed by an exactly equivalent initial value scheme, which involves a change of integration variable and a reduced compound unitary operator. Restriction of all the operators to observables with smooth non-oscillatory Weyl symbols reduces the evolving correlation to a single phase space integral. If each observable undergoes independent Heisenberg evolution, the overall correlation evolves classically. Otherwise, the kernel acquires a nonclassical phase factor, though it still depends on a purely classical compound trajectory: e.g. the fase for a double return of the quantum Loschmidt echo does not coincide with twice the phase for a single echo.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2015

Local quantum ergodic conjecture

The Quantum Ergodic Conjecture equates the Wigner function for a typical eigenstate of a classically chaotic Hamiltonian with a delta-function on the energy shell. This ensures the evaluation of classical ergodic expectations of simple observables, in agreement with Shnirelman's theorem, but this putative Wigner function violates several important requirements. Consequently, we transfer the conjecture to the Fourier transform of the Wigner function, that is, the chord function. We show that all the relevant consequences of the usual conjecture require only information contained within a small (Planck) volume around the origin of the phase space of chords: translations in ordinary phase space. Loci of complete orthogonality between a given eigenstate and its nearby translation are quite elusive for the Wigner function, but our local conjecture stipulates that their pattern should be universal for ergodic eigenstates of the same Hamiltonian lying within a classically narrow energy range. Our findings are supported by numerical evidence in a Hamiltonian exhibiting soft chaos. Heavily scarred eigenstates are remarkable counter-examples of the ergodic universal pattern.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2014

Negativity witness for the quantum ergodic conjecture

For an ergodic system, the time average of a classical observable coincides with that obtained via the Liouville probability density, a delta-function on the energy shell. Reinterpreting this distribution as a Wigner function, that is, the Weyl representation of a density operator, the quantum ergodic conjecture identifies this classical construction as an approximate representation of the quantum eigenstate of the same energy. It is found that this reasonable hypothesis, as far as expectations for observables are concerned, does not satisfy the requirement of positivity, so that the delta-function on the shell cannot be a true Wigner function. This result was first presented by N. Balazs for the special case of a single degree of freedom, such that the system is simultaneously integrable and ergodic. Here, it is shown, for a delta-function on an arbitrary curved energy shell in a $2N$-dimensional phase space, that there exists a positive operator for which the conjectured Wigner function predicts a negative expectation.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2013

Metaplectic sheets and caustic traversals in the Weyl representation

The quantum Hamiltonian generates in time a family of evolution operators. Continuity of this family holds within any choice of representation and, in particular, for the Weyl propagator, even though its simplest semiclassical approximation may develop caustic singularities. The phase jumps of the Weyl propagator across caustics have not been previously determined. The semiclassical appproximation relies on individual classical trajectories together with their neighbouring tangent map. Based on the latter, one defines a continuous family of unitary tangent propagators, with an exact Weyl representation that is close to the full semiclassical approximation in an appropriate neighbourhood. The phase increment of the semiclassical Weyl propagator, as a caustic is crossed, is derived from the facts that the corresponding family of tangent operators belong to the metaplectic group and that the products of the tangent propagators are obtained from Gaussian integrals. The Weyl representation of the metaplectic group is here presented, with the correct phases determined within an intrinsic ambiguity for the overall sign. The elements that fully determine the phase increment across a particular caustic are then analysed.

math-ph↗

arXiv2011

An initial value representation for the Loschmidt echo

We obtain an initial value representation for the quantum Loschmidt echo from the semiclassical theory of Wigner function evolution, together with classical first-order perturbation theory. In the limit of small actions, the amplitude of each trajectory reduces to unity, just as in the dephasing representation introduced by Vanicek, but these trajectories are here generated by the mean Hamiltonian for both the forward and the backward motion. This slight change of action may substantially alter the phase. The amplitude correction depends on the second derivative of the action. This improved dephasing approximation is verified to work even for quadratic Hamiltonians, for which the semiclassical evolution is exact, thus extending the range of application beyond its original scope in quantum chaos.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2010

Semiclassical theory for small displacements

Characteristic functions contain complete information about all the moments of a classical distribution and the same holds for the Fourier transform of the Wigner function: a quantum characteristic function, or the chord function. However, knowledge of a finite number of moments does not allow for accurate determination of the chord function. For pure states this provides the overlap of the state with all its possible rigid translations (or displacements). We here present a semiclassical approximation of the chord function for large Bohr-quantized states, which is accurate right up to a caustic, beyond which the chord function becomes evanescent. It is verified to pick out blind spots, which are displacements for zero overlaps. These occur even for translations within a Planck area of the origin. We derive a simple approximation for the closest blind spots, depending on the Schroedinger covariance matrix, which is verified for Bohr-quantized states.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2007

Husimi-Wigner representation of chaotic eigenstates

Just as a coherent state may be considered as a quantum point, its restriction to a factor space of the full Hilbert space can be interpreted as a quantum plane. The overlap of such a factor coherent state with a full pure state is akin to a quantum section. It defines a reduced pure state in the cofactor Hilbert space. The collection of all the Wigner functions corresponding to a full set of parallel quantum sections defines the Husimi-Wigner reresentation. It occupies an intermediate ground between drastic suppression of nonclassical features, characteristic of Husimi functions, and the daunting complexity of higher dimensional Wigner functions. After analysing these features for simpler states, we exploit this new representation as a probe of numerically computed eigenstates of chaotic Hamiltonians. The individual two-dimensional Wigner functions resemble those of semiclassically quantized states, but the regular ring pattern is broken by dislocations.

nlin.CD↗

arXiv2007

Quantum Baker Maps for Spiraling Chaotic Motion

We define a coupling of two baker maps through a pi/2 rotation both in position and in momentum. The classical trajectories thus exhibit spiraling, or loxodromic motion, which is only possible for conservative maps of at least two degrees of freedom. This loxodromic baker map is still hyperbolic, that is, fully chaotic. Quantization of this map follows on similar lines to other generalized baker maps. It is found that the eigenvalue spectrum for quantum loxodromic baker map is far removed from those of the canonical random matrix ensembles. An investigation of the symmetries of the loxodromic baker map reveals the cause of this deviation from the Bohigas-Giannoni-Schmit conjecture.

nlin.CD↗

arXiv2004

Pure State Correlations: Chords in Phase Space

The intensity of the overlap of a quantum state with all its phase space translations defines its quantum correlations. In the case of pure states, these are invariant with respect to Fourier transformation. The overlaps themselves are here studied in terms of the Wigner function and its Fourier transform, i.e., the characteristic function or chord function. Unlike the Wigner function, the chord function need not be real, but eventual symmetry with respect to reflections about a phase space point may relate these representations. Semiclassical approximations for the "classical-like" region of small chords and for large chords are derived. These lead to an interpretation of the Fourier invariance in terms of conjugate chords. The interrelation of large and small (sub-Planck) phase space structures previously noted in the literature are thus reinterpreted.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2002

Decoherence of Semiclassical Wigner Functions

The Lindblad equation governs general markovian evolution of the density operator in an open quantum system. An expression for the rate of change of the Wigner function as a sum of integrals is one of the forms of the Weyl representation for this equation. The semiclassical description of the Wigner function in terms of chords, each with its classically defined amplitude and phase, is thus inserted in the integrals, which leads to an explicit differential equation for the Wigner function. All the Lindblad operators are assumed to be represented by smooth phase space functions corresponding to classical variables. In the case that these are real, representing hermitian operators, the semiclassical Lindblad equation can be integrated. There results a simple extension of the unitary evolution of the semiclassical Wigner function, which does not affect the phase of each chord contribution, while dampening its amplitude. This decreases exponentially, as governed by the time integral of the square difference of the Lindblad functions along the classical trajectories of both tips of each chord. The decay of the amplitudes is shown to imply diffusion in energy for initial states that are nearly pure. Projecting the Wigner function onto an orthogonal position or momentum basis, the dampening of long chords emerges as the exponential decay of off-diagonal elements of the density matrix.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2002

On resumming periodic orbits in the spectra of integrable systems

Spectral determinants have proven to be valuable tools for resumming the periodic orbits in the Gutzwiller trace formula of chaotic systems. We investigate these tools in the context of integrable systems to which these techniques have not been previously applied. Our specific model is a stroboscopic map of an integrable Hamiltonian system with quadratic action dependence, for which each stage of the semiclassical approximation can be controlled. It is found that large errors occur in the semiclassical traces due to edge corrections which may be neglected if the eigenvalues are obtained by Fourier transformation over the long time dynamics. However, these errors cause serious harm to the spectral approximations of an integrable system obtained via the spectral determinants. The symmetry property of the spectral determinant does not generally alleviate the error, since it sometimes sheds a pair of eigenvalues from the unit circle. By taking into account the leading order asymptotics of the edge corrections, the spectral determinant method makes a significant recovery.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2001

Hyperbolic Scar Patterns in Phase Space

We develop a semiclassical approximation for the spectral Wigner and Husimi functions in the neighbourhood of a classically unstable periodic orbit of chaotic two dimensional maps. The prediction of hyperbolic fringes for the Wigner function, asymptotic to the stable and unstable manifolds, is verified computationally for a (linear) cat map, after the theory is adapted to a discrete phase space appropriate to a quantized torus. The characteristic fringe patterns can be distinguished even for quasi-energies where the fixed point is not Bohr-quantized. The corresponding Husimi function dampens these fringes with a Gaussian envelope centered on the periodic point. Even though the hyperbolic structure is then barely perceptible, more periodic points stand out due to the weakened interference.

nlin.CD↗

arXiv2000

Scars of the Wigner function

We propose a picture of Wigner function scars as a sequence of concentric rings along a two-dimensional surface inside a periodic orbit. This is verified for a two-dimensional plane that contains a classical orbit of a Hamiltonian system with two degrees of freedom. The orbit is hyperbolic and the classical Hamiltonian is ``softly chaotic'' at the energies considered. The stationary wave functions are the familiar mixture of scarred and random waves, but the spectral average of the Wigner functions in part of the plane is nearly that of a harmonic oscillator and individual states are also remarkably regular. These results are interpreted in terms of the semiclassical picture of chords and centres, which leads to a qualitative explanation of the interference effects that are manifest in the other region of the plane. The qualitative picture is robust with respect to a canonical transformation that bends the orbit plane.

nlin.CD↗

arXiv1999

Decomposition of Resonant Scatterers by Surfaces of Section

Scattering on the energy shell is viewed here as the relation between the bound states of the Hamiltonian, restricted to sections on leads that are asymptotically independent, far away from the interaction region. The decomposition is achieved by sectioning this region and adding new leads, thus generating two new scatterers. So a resonant scatterer, whose $\bS$-matrix has sharp energy peaks, can be resolved into a pair of scatterers with smooth energy dependence. The resonant behaviour is concentrated in a spectral determinant obtained from a dissipative section map. The semiclassical limit of this theory coincides with the orbit resummation previously proposed by Georgeot and Prange. A numerical example for a semiseparable scatterer is investigated, revealing the accurate portrayal of the Wigner time delay by the spectral determinant.

chao-dyn↗

arXiv1999

Poincare's Recurrence Theorem and the Unitarity of the S matrix

A scattering process can be described by suitably closing the system and considering the first return map from the entrance onto itself. This scattering map may be singular and discontinuous, but it will be measure preserving as a consequence of the recurrence theorem applied to any region of a simpler map. In the case of a billiard this is the Birkhoff map. The semiclassical quantization of the Birkhoff map can be subdivided into an entrance and a repeller. The construction of a scattering operator then follows in exact analogy to the classical process. Generically, the approximate unitarity of the semiclassical Birkhoff map is inherited by the S-matrix, even for highly resonant scattering where direct quantization of the scattering map breaks down.

chao-dyn↗

arXiv1999

Geometrical approach to the distribution of the zeroes for the Husimi function

We construct a semiclassical expression for the Husimi function of autonomous systems in one degree of freedom, by smoothing with a Gaussian function an expression that captures the essential features of the Wigner function in the semiclassical limit. Our approximation reveals the "center and chord" estructure that the Husimi function inherits from the Wigner function, down to very shallow "valleys", where lie the Husimi zeroes. This explanation for the distribution of zeroes along curves relies on the geometry of the classical torus, rather than the complex analytical properties of the WKB method in the Bargmann representation. We evaluate the zeroes for several examples.

chao-dyn↗

arXiv1997

Semiclassical limit of universal parametric density correlations

Reviewing the semiclassical theory for the parametric level density fluctuations, we show that for large parametric changes the density correlation function, after rescaling, becomes universal and coincides with the leading asymptotic term obtained from Random Matrix Theory. The advantage of the semiclassical approach is to provide a simple recipe for the calculation of the non-universal scaling parameter from elements of the underlying classical dynamics specific to the system. We discuss recent improvements of the theory, which introduce a requantization of the smoothed level density.

chao-dyn↗