Quantum scars of classical closed orbits in phase space
- 8 May 1989
- journal article
- Published by The Royal Society in Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series A. Mathematical and Physical Sciences
- Vol. 423 (1864), 219-231
- https://doi.org/10.1098/rspa.1989.0052
Abstract
The way in which quantum eigenstates are influenced by the closed orbits of a chaotic classical system is analysed in phase space x = (q, p) through the spectral Wigner function W(x; E, $\epsilon$). This is a sum over Wigner functions of eigenstates within a range $\epsilon$ of energy E. In the classical limit, W is concentrated on the energy surface and smoothly distributed over it. Closed orbits provide oscillatory corrections (scars) for which explicit semiclassical formulae are calculated. Each scar is a fringe pattern decorating the orbit. As x moves off the energy surface the fringes form an Airy pattern with spacing of order h$^\frac{2}{3}$. As x moves off the closed orbit the fringes form a complex gaussian with spacing h$^\frac{1}{2}$.
Keywords
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