arXiv subjects

H. A. Weidenmüller

Publications and source records attributed to H. A. Weidenmüller.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2022

Random-Matrix Approach to Transition-State Theory

To model a complex system intrinsically separated by a barrier, we use two random Hamiltonians, coupled to each other either by a tunneling matrix element or by an intermediate transition state. We study that model in the universal limit of large matrix dimension. We calculate the average probability for transition from scattering channel coupled to the first Hamiltonian to a scattering channel coupled to the second Hamiltonian. Using only the assumption that the sum of transmission coefficients of channels coupled to the second Hamiltonian is large we retrieve transition-state theory in its general form. For tunneling through a very thick barrier independence of formation and decay of the tunneling process hold more generally.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2021

Tests of the Porter-Thomas Distribution for Reduced Partial Neutron Widths

Given N data points drawn from a chi-square distribution, we use Bayesian inference to determine most likely values and N-dependent confidence intervals for the width sigma and the number k of degrees of freedom of that distribution. Using reduced partial neutron widths measured in a number of nuclei, a guessed value of sigma, and a maximum-likelihood approach (different from Bayesian inference), Koehler et al. and Koehler have determined the most likely k-values of chi-square distributions that fit the data. In all cases they find values for k that differ substantially from k = 1 (the value characterizing the Porter-Thomas distribution (PTD) predicted by random-matrix theory). The authors conclude that the validity of the PTD must be rejected with considerable statistical significance. We show that the value of sigma guessed in these papers lies far outside the Bayesian confidence interval for sigma, casting serious doubt on the results of and the conclusions drawn there. We also show that sigma and k must both be determined from the data. Comparison of the results with the Bayesian confidence intervals would then decide on acceptance or rejection of the PTD.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2020

Effective field theory for deformed odd-mass nuclei

We develop an effective field theory (EFT) for deformed odd-mass nuclei. These are described as an axially symmetric core to which a nucleon is coupled. In the coordinate system fixed to the core the nucleon is subject to an axially symmetric potential. Power counting is based on the separation of scales between low-lying rotations and higher-lying states of the core. In leading order, core and nucleon are coupled by universal derivative terms. These comprise a covariant derivative and gauge potentials which account for Coriolis forces and relate to Berry-phase phenomena. At leading order, the EFT combines the particle-rotor and Nilsson models. We work out the EFT up to next-to-leading order and illustrate the results in $^{239}$Pu and $^{187}$Os. At leading order, odd-mass nuclei with rotational band heads that are close in energy and differ by one unit of angular momentum are triaxially deformed. For band heads that are well separated in energy, triaxiality becomes a subleading effect. The EFT developed in this paper presents a model-independent approach to the particle-rotor system that is capable of systematic improvement.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2020

Statistical-model description of $γ$ decay from compound-nucleus resonances

The statistical model of compound-nucleus reactions predicts that the fluctuations of the partial $γ$-decay widths for a compound-nucleus resonance are governed by the Porter-Thomas distribution (PTD), and that consequently the distribution of total $γ$-decay widths is very narrow. However, a recent experiment [Koehler, Larsen, Guttormsen, Siem, and Guber, Phys. Rev. C 88, 041305(R) (2013)] reported large fluctuations of the total $γ$-decay widths in the $^{95}$Mo$(n,γ)^{96}$Mo* reaction, contrary to this expectation. Furthermore, in recent theoretical works it was argued that sufficiently strong channel couplings can cause deviations of the partial width distributions from PTD. Here, we investigate whether the combined influence of a large number of nonequivalent $γ$-decay channels, each of which couples weakly to the compound-nucleus resonances, can modify the statistics of the partial widths. We study this effect in neutron scattering off $^{95}$Mo within a random-matrix model that includes coupling to the entrance neutron channel and to the large number of $γ$ channels. Using realistic coupling parameters obtained from empirical models for the level density and the $γ$ strength function, we find that the PTD describes well the distribution of partial widths for all decay channels, in agreement with the statistical-model expectation. Furthermore, we find that the width of the distribution of the total $γ$-decay widths is insensitive to wide variations in the parameters of the $γ$ strength function, as well as to deviations of the partial-width distributions from the PTD. Our results rule out an explanation of the recent experimental data within a statistical-model description of the compound nucleus.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2018

The Statistical Model of Nuclear Reactions: Open Problems

Several experiments [1-3] show significant deviations from predictions of the statistical model of nuclear reactions. We summarize unsuccessful recent theoretical efforts to account for such disagreement in terms of a violation of orthogonal invariance caused by the Thomas-Ehrman shift. We report on numerical simulations involving a large number of gamma decay channels that also give rise to violation of orthogonal invariance but likewise do not account for the discrepancies. We discuss the statistical model in the light of these results.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2015

Effective field theory for deformed atomic nuclei

We present an effective field theory (EFT) for a model-independent description of deformed atomic nuclei. In leading order this approach recovers the well-known results from the collective model by Bohr and Mottelson. When higher-order corrections are computed, the EFT accounts for finer details such as the variation of the moment of inertia with the band head and the small magnitudes of interband $E2$ transitions. For rotational bands with a finite spin of the band head, the EFT is equivalent to the theory of a charged particle on the sphere subject to a magnetic monopole field.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2015

Random-matrix approach to the statistical compound nuclear reaction at low energies using the Monte-Carlo technique

Using a random-matrix approach and Monte-Carlo simulations, we generate scattering matrices and cross sections for compound-nucleus reactions. In the absence of direct reactions we compare the average cross sections with the analytic solution given by the Gaussian Orthogonal Ensemble (GOE) triple integral, and with predictions of statistical approaches such as the ones due to Moldauer, to Hofmann, Richert, Tepel, and Weidenmüller, and to Kawai, Kerman, and McVoy. We find perfect agreement with the GOE triple integral and display the limits of validity of the latter approaches. We establish a criterion for the width of the energy-averaging interval such that the relative difference between the ensemble-averaged and the energy-averaged scattering matrices lies below a given bound. Direct reactions are simulated in terms of an energy-independent background matrix. In that case, cross sections averaged over the ensemble of Monte-Carlo simulations fully agree with results from the Engelbrecht-Weidenmüller transformation. The limits of other approximate approaches are displayed.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2015

Effective Field Theory of Emergent Symmetry Breaking in Deformed Atomic Nuclei

Spontaneous symmetry breaking in non-relativistic quantum systems has previously been addressed in the framework of effective field theory. Low-lying excitations are constructed from Nambu-Goldstone modes using symmetry arguments only. We extend that approach to finite systems. The approach is very general. To be specific, however, we consider atomic nuclei with intrinsically deformed ground states. The emergent symmetry breaking in such systems requires the introduction of additional degrees of freedom on top of the Nambu-Goldstone modes. Symmetry arguments suffice to construct the low-lying states of the system. In deformed nuclei these are vibrational modes each of which serves as band head of a rotational band.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2015

Quantum Graphs and Random-Matrix Theory

For simple connected graphs with incommensurate bond lengths and with unitary symmetry we prove the Bohigas-Giannoni-Schmit conjecture in its most general form. Using supersymmetry and taking the limit of infinite graph size, we show that the generating function for every (P, Q) correlation function for both closed and open graphs coincides with the corresponding expression of random-matrix theory. We use that the classical Perron-Frobenius operator is bistochastic and possesses a single eigenvalue +1. In the quantum case that implies the existence of a zero (or massless) mode of the effective action. That mode causes universal fluctuation properties. Avoiding the saddle-point approximation we show that for graphs that are classically mixing (i.e., for which the spectrum of the classical Perron-Frobenius operator possesses a finite gap) and that do not carry a special class of bound states, the zero mode dominates in the limit of infinite grapg size.

nlin.CD↗

arXiv2014

Uncertainties in the analysis of neutron resonance data

Recent analyses of the distribution of reduced neutron widths in the Nuclear Data Ensemble (NDE) and in the Pt isotopes find strong disagreement with predictions of random-matrix theory. These analyses combine the maximum-likelihood method with a cutoff on the reduced neutron widths. We show that the method introduces a systematic error (the "cutoff error"). That error (seemingly taken into account for the Pt data) increases with increasing cutoff and decreasing number of data points. We reanalyse the NDE taking the cutoff error into account. While differing in detail, our results confirm the earlier conclusion that the NDE disagrees significantly from RMT predictions.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2014

Laser-Nucleus Reactions: Population of States far above Yrast and far from Stability

Nuclear reactions induced by a strong zeptosecond laser pulse are studied theoretically in the quasiadiabatic regime where the photon absorption rate is comparable to the nuclear equilibration rate. We find that multiple photon absorption leads to the formation of a compound nucleus in the so-far unexplored regime of excitation energies several hundred MeV above the yrast line. At these energies, further photon absorption is limited by neutron decay and/or induced nucleon emission. With a laser pulse of $\approx 50$ zs duration, proton-rich nuclei far off the line of stability are produced.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2013

Chaotic Scattering on Individual Quantum Graphs

For chaotic scattering on quantum graphs, the semiclassical approximation is exact. We use this fact and employ supersymmetry, the colour-flavour transformation, and the saddle-point approximation to calculate the exact expression for the lowest and asymptotic expressions in the Ericson regime for all higher correlation functions of the scattering matrix. Our results agree with those available from the random-matrix approach to chaotic scattering. We conjecture that our results hold universally for quantum-chaotic scattering.

nlin.CD↗

arXiv2001

Density Matrix of a Bose--Einstein Condensate: Steady--State versus Mean--Field Approach

We compare the equilibrium solution for the condensate obtained in the mean--field approximation to the master equation for sympathetic cooling with the one obtained by Scully for a system in contact with a heat bath with the help of an analogy with the laser. While the mean--field approach yields analytical formulas for the approach towards equilibrium and for the equilibrium solution, it neglects the correlations between occupation numbers of different single--particle states which are approximately kept in Scully's approach. Such neglect is admissible as long as the fraction of Bosons in the condensate does not exceed a few percent or so.

cond-mat↗

arXiv1998

Crossover to Non-universal Microscopic Spectral Fluctuations in Lattice Gauge Theory

The spectrum of the Dirac operator near zero virtuality obtained in lattice gauge simulations is known to be universally described by chiral random matrix theory. We address the question of the maximum energy for which this universality persists. For this purpose, we analyze large ensembles of complete spectra of the Euclidean Dirac operator for staggered fermions. We calculate the disconnected scalar susceptibility and the microscopic number variance for the chiral symplectic ensemble of random matrices and compare the results with lattice Dirac spectra for quenched SU(2). The crossover to a non-universal regime is clearly identified and found to scale with the square of the linear lattice size and with $f_π^2$, in agreement with theoretical expectations.

hep-ph↗

arXiv1997

The chiral phase transition, random matrix models, and lattice data

We present two pieces of evidence in support of the conjecture that the microscopic spectral density of the Dirac operator is a universal quantity. First, we compare lattice data to predictions from random matrix theory. Second, we show that the functional form of the microscopic spectral correlations remains unchanged in random matrix models which take account of finite temperature. Furthermore, we present a random matrix model for the chiral phase transition in which all Matsubara frequencies are included.

hep-ph↗

arXiv1996

The chiral phase transition in a random matrix model with molecular correlations

The chiral phase transition of QCD is analyzed in a model combining random matrix elements of the Dirac operator with specially chosen non-random ones. The special form of the latter is motivated by the assumption that the fermionic quasi-zero modes associated with instanton and anti-instanton configurations determine the chiral properties of QCD. Our results show that the degree of correlation between these modes plays the decisive role. To reduce the value of the chiral condensate by more than a factor of 2 about 95 percent of the instantons and anti-instantons must form so-called molecules. This conclusion agrees with numerical results of the Stony Brook group.

hep-ph↗