In this paper we give an overview over some aspects of the modern mathematical theory of Ruelle resonances for chaotic, i.e. uniformly hyperbolic, dynamical systems and their implications in physics. First we recall recent developments in the mathematical theory of resonances, in particular how invariant Ruelle distributions arise as residues of weighted zeta functions. Then we derive a correspondence between weighted and semiclassical zeta functions in the setting of negatively curved surfaces. Combining this with results of Hilgert, Guillarmou and Weich yields a high frequency interpretation of invariant Ruelle distributions as quantum mechanical matrix coefficients in constant negative curvature. We finish by presenting numerical calculations of phase space distributions in the more physical setting of 3-disk scattering systems.
We propose a new approximate series solution of the semiclassical Wigner equation by uniformization of WKB approximations of the Schrödinger eigenfunctions.
A new uniform asymptotic approximation for the Wigner $6j$ symbol is given in terms of Wigner rotation matrices ($d$-matrices). The approximation is uniform in the sense that it applies for all values of the quantum numbers, even those near caustics. The derivation of the new approximation is not given, but the geometrical ideas supporting it are discussed and numerical tests are presented, including comparisons with the exact $6j$-symbol and with the Ponzano-Regge approximation.
We establish the difference between the propagation of semiclassical Wigner functions and classical Liouville propagation. First we re-discuss the semiclassical limit for the propagator of Wigner functions, which on its own leads to their classical propagation. Then, via stationary phase evaluation of the full integral evolution equation, using the semiclassical expressions of Wigner functions, we provide the correct geometrical prescription for their semiclassical propagation. This is determined by the classical trajectories of the tips of the chords defined by the initial semiclassical Wigne…
This paper is devoted to establish semiclassical Weyl formulae for the Robin Laplacian on smooth domains in any dimension. Theirs proofs are reminiscent of the Born-Oppenheimer method.
We present a perturbation analysis of the semiclassical Wigner equation which is based on the interplay between configuration and phase spaces via Wigner transform. We employ the so-called harmonic approximation of the Schrodinger eigenfunctions for single-well potentials in configuration space, to construct an asymptotic expansion of the solution of the Wigner equation. This expansion is a perturbation of the Wigner function of a harmonic oscillator but it is not a genuine semiclassical expansion because the correctors depend on the semiclassical parameter. However, it suggests the selection…
The semiclassical mechanics of the Wigner 6j-symbol is examined from the standpoint of WKB theory for multidimensional, integrable systems, to explore the geometrical issues surrounding the Ponzano-Regge formula. The relations among the methods of Roberts and others for deriving the Ponzano-Regge formula are discussed, and a new approach, based on the recoupling of four angular momenta, is presented. A generalization of the Yutsis-type of spin network is developed for this purpose. Special attention is devoted to symplectic reduction, the reduced phase space of the 6j-symbol (the 2-sphere of K…
We consider solutions of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation for a potential localised at the points of a Poisson process. We prove convergence of the phase-space distribution in the annealed Boltzmann-Grad limit to a semiclassical Wigner (or defect) measure and show that it is a solution of the linear Boltzmann equation. Our results hold for a large class of square-integrable initial data associated to Wigner measures, including Langragian states, WKB states and coherent states. This extends important previous work by Eng and Erdős.
In this article we extend previous semiclassical studies by including more general perturbative potentials of the harmonic oscillator in arbitrary spatial dimensions. Our starting point is a radial harmonic potential with an arbitrary even monomial perturbation, which we use to study the resulting $\mathrm{U}(D)$ to $\mathrm{O}(D)$ symmetry breaking. We derive the gross structure of the semiclassical spectrum from periodic orbit theory, in the form of a perturbative ($\hbar \rightarrow 0$) trace formula. We then show how to apply the results to even order polynomial potentials, possibly includ…
We consider the Wigner equation corresponding to a nonlinear Schroedinger evolution of the Hartree type in the semiclassical limit $\hbar\to 0$. Under appropriate assumptions on the initial data and the interaction potential, we show that the Wigner function is close in $L^2$ to its weak limit, the solution of the corresponding Vlasov equation. The strong approximation allows the construction of semiclassical operator-valued observables, approximating their quantum counterparts in Hilbert-Schmidt topology. The proof makes use of a pointwise-positivity manipulation, which seems necessary in wor…
We derive an asymptotic formula for the Wigner $12j$ symbol, in the limit of one small and 11 large angular momenta. There are two kinds of asymptotic formulas for the $12j$ symbol with one small angular momentum. We present the first kind of formula in this paper. Our derivation relies on the techniques developed in the semiclassical analysis of the Wigner $9j$ symbol [L. Yu and R. G. Littlejohn, Phys. Rev. A 83, 052114 (2011)], where we used a gauge-invariant form of the multicomponent WKB wave-functions to derive asymptotic formulas for the $9j$ symbol with small and large angular momenta. …
The time evolution of the Wigner function for Gaussian states generated by Lindblad quantum dynamics is investigated in the semiclassical limit. A new type of phase-space dynamics is obtained for the centre of a Gaussian Wigner function, where the Lindblad terms generally introduce a non-Hamiltonian flow. In addition to this, the Gaussian approximation yields dynamical equations for the covariances. The approximation becomes exact for linear Lindblad operators and a quadratic Hamiltonian. By viewing the Wigner function as a wave function on a coordinate space of doubled dimension, and the phas…
We derive a new asymptotic formula for the Wigner $9j$-symbol, in the limit of one small and eight large angular momenta, using a novel gauge-invariant factorization for the asymptotic solution of a set of coupled wave equations. Our factorization eliminates the geometric phases completely, using gauge-invariant non-canonical coordinates, parallel transports of spinors, and quantum rotation matrices. Our derivation generalizes to higher $3nj$-symbols. We display without proof some new asymptotic formulas for the $12j$-symbol and the $15j$-symbol in the appendices. This work contributes a new a…
We discuss the semiclassical approaches for describing systems with spin-orbit interactions by Littlejohn and Flynn (1991, 1992), Frisk and Guhr (1993), and by Bolte and Keppeler (1998, 1999). We use these methods to derive trace formulae for several two- and three-dimensional model systems, and exhibit their successes and limitations. We discuss, in particular, also the mode conversion problem that arises in the strong-coupling limit.
Wigner and Husimi transforms have long been used for the phase-space reformulation of Schrödinger-type equations, and the study of the corresponding semiclassical limits. Most of the existing results provide approximations in appropriate weak topologies. In this work we are concerned with semiclassical limits in the strong topology, i.e. approximation of Wigner functions by solutions of the Liouville equation in $L^2$ and Sobolev norms. The results obtained improve the state of the art, and highlight the role of potential regularity, especially through the regularity of the Wigner equation. It…
In this paper we study the semiclassical behavior of quantum states acting on the C*-algebra of canonical commutation relations, from a general perspective. The aim is to provide a unified and flexible approach to the semiclassical analysis of bosonic systems. We also give a detailed overview of possible applications of this approach to mathematical problems of both axiomatic relativistic quantum field theories and nonrelativistic many body systems. If the theory has infinitely many degrees of freedom, the set of Wigner measures, i.e. the classical counterpart of the set of quantum states, coi…
A semiclassical approximation for an evolving density operator, driven by a "closed" hamiltonian operator and "open" markovian Lindblad operators, is obtained. The theory is based on the chord function, i.e. the Fourier transform of the Wigner function. It reduces to an exact solution of the Lindblad master equation if the hamiltonian operator is a quadratic function and the Lindblad operators are linear functions of positions and momenta. Initially, the semiclassical formulae for the case of hermitian Lindblad operators are reinterpreted in terms of a (real) double phase space, generated by a…
We study the Cauchy problem for the sine-Gordon equation in the semiclassical limit with pure-impulse initial data of sufficient strength to generate both high-frequency rotational motion near the peak of the impulse profile and also high-frequency librational motion in the tails. We show that for small times independent of the semiclassical scaling parameter, both types of motion are accurately described by explicit formulae involving elliptic functions. These formulae demonstrate consistency with predictions of Whitham's formal modulation theory in both the hyperbolic (modulationally stable)…
We show how to relate the full quantum dynamics of a spin-1/2 particle on R^d to a classical Hamiltonian dynamics on the enlarged phase space R^d x S^2 up to errors of second order in the semiclassical parameter. This is done via an Egorov-type theorem for normal Wigner-Weyl calculus for R^d [Lei10,Fol89] combined with the Stratonovich-Weyl calculus for SU(2) [VGB89]. For a specific class of Hamiltonians, including the Rabi- and Jaynes-Cummings model, we prove an Egorov theorem for times much longer than the semiclassical time scale. We illustrate the approach for a simple model of the Stern-G…
The Wigner time delay, defined by the energy derivative of the total scattering phase shift, is an important spectral measure of an open quantum system characterising the duration of the scattering event. It is related to the trace of the Wigner-Smith matrix Q that also encodes other time-delay characteristics. For chaotic cavities, these exhibit universal fluctuations that are commonly described within random matrix theory. Here, we develop a new semiclassical approach to the time-delay matrix which is formulated in terms of the classical trajectories that connect the exterior and interior re…
We develop explicit formulae for the eigenvalues of various invariants for highest weight irreducible representations of the quantum supergroup $U_q[gl(m|n)]$. The techniques employed make use of modified characteristic identity methods and allow for the evaluation of generator matrix elements and reduced Wigner coefficients.
We present the explicit formulae relating Hopf maps with Wigner's little groups. They, particularly, explain simple action of group on a fiber for the first and second Hopf fibrations, and present most simplified form for the third one. Corresponding invariant Lagrangians are presented, and their possible reductions are discussed.
The main objective of this paper is understanding the propagation laws obeyed by high-frequency limits of Wigner distributions associated to solutions to the Schroedinger equation on the standard d-dimensional torus T^{d}. From the point of view of semiclassical analysis, our setting corresponds to performing the semiclassical limit at times of order 1/h, as the characteristic wave-length h of the initial data tends to zero. It turns out that, in spite that for fixed h every Wigner distribution satisfies a Liouville equation, their limits are no longer uniquely determined by those of the Wigne…
The semiclassical long-time limit of free evolution of quantum wave packets on the torus is under consideration. Despite of simplicity of this system, there are still open questions concerning the detailed description of the evolution on time scales beyond the Ehrenfest time. One of the approaches is based on the limiting Wigner or Husimi distributions of time-evolved wave packets as the Planck constant tends to zero and time tends to infinity. We derive explicit expressions for semiclassical measures corresponding to all time scales and the corresponding stages of evolution: classical-like mo…
Electronic transport through chaotic quantum dots exhibits universal behaviour which can be understood through the semiclassical approximation. Within the approximation, transport moments reduce to codifying classical correlations between scattering trajectories. These can be represented as ribbon graphs and we develop an algorithmic combinatorial method to generate all such graphs with a given genus. This provides an expansion of the linear transport moments for systems both with and without time reversal symmetry. The computational implementation is then able to progress several orders highe…
We construct explicit formulae for the eigenvalues of certain invariants of the Lie superalgebra gl(m|n) using characteristic identities. We discuss how such eigenvalues are related to reduced Wigner coefficients and the reduced matrix elements of generators, and thus provide a first step to a new algebraic derivation of matrix element formulae for all generators of the algebra.
