Symmetries and quantum chaos: Time-reversal invariance in the nucleon-nucleon interaction

Abstract

Let α be the relative norm of a symmetry-breaking term in the Hamiltonian of a many-particle system, and Λ the energy-dependent transition parameter which charcterizes the quantum chaos via spectral and strength fluctuations. Combining a compact theory for Λ/${\mathrm{\alpha }}^2$ with fluctuation theories by which Λ can be deduced from (neutron-resonance) data gives, for the time-reversal-noninvariant nucleon-nucleon interaction, α≤(1–2)×${10}^{\mathrm{-}3}$, which would improve with better small-strength data in nuclei with dense spectra. Diffusion equations involving Λ as the ‘‘time’’ variable are also discussed.