Current and vortex statistics in microwave billiards

Effective pair-interaction of phase singularities in random waves

In two-dimensional random waves, phase singularities are point-like dislocations with a behavior reminiscent of interacting particles. This-qualitative-consideration stems from the spatial arrangement of these entities, which finds its hallmark in a pair correlation reminiscent of a liquid-like system. Starting from their pair correlation function, we derive an effective pair-interaction for phase singularities in random waves by using a reverse Monte Carlo method. This study initiates a new, to the best of our knowledge, approach for the treatment of singularities in random waves and can be generalized to topological defects in any system.

Poynting singularities in the transverse flow-field of random vector waves

In order to utilize the full potential of tailored flows of electromagnetic energy at the nanoscale, we need to understand its general behavior given by its generic representation of interfering random waves. For applications in on-chip photonics as well as particle trapping, it is important to discern between the topological features in the flow-field of the commonly investigated cases of fully vectorial light fields and their 2D equivalents. We demonstrate the distinct difference between these cases in both the allowed topology of the flow-field and the spatial distribution of its singularities, given by their pair correlation function g(r). Specifically, we show that a random field confined to a 2D plane has a divergence-free flow-field and exhibits a liquid-like correlation, whereas its freely propagating counterpart has no clear correlation and features a transverse flow-field with the full range of possible 2D topologies around its singularities.

Basic modelling of transport in 2D wave-mechanical nanodots and billiards with balanced gain and loss mediated by complex potentials

Non-Hermitian quantum mechanics with parity-time (PT) symmetry is presently gaining great interest, especially within the fields of photonics and optics. Here, we give a brief overview of low-dimensional semiconductor nanodevices using the example of a quantum dot with input and output leads, which are mimicked by imaginary potentials for gain and loss, and how wave functions, particle flow, coalescence of levels and associated breaking of PT symmetry may be analysed within such a framework. Special attention is given to the presence of exceptional points and symmetry breaking. Related features for musical string instruments and 'wolf-notes' are outlined briefly with suggestions for further experiments.

Spatial Distribution of Phase Singularities in Optical Random Vector Waves

Phase singularities are dislocations widely studied in optical fields as well as in other areas of physics. With experiment and theory we show that the vectorial nature of light affects the spatial distribution of phase singularities in random light fields. While in scalar random waves phase singularities exhibit spatial distributions reminiscent of particles in isotropic liquids, in vector fields their distribution for the different vector components becomes anisotropic due to the direct relation between propagation and field direction. By incorporating this relation in the theory for scalar fields by Berry and Dennis [Proc. R. Soc. A 456, 2059 (2000)], we quantitatively describe our experiments.

Wave transport and statistical properties of an open non-Hermitian quantum dot with parity-time symmetry

A basic quantum-mechanical model for wave functions and current flow in open quantum dots or billiards is investigated. The model involves non-Hertmitian quantum mechanics, parity-time (PT) symmetry, and PT-symmetry breaking. Attached leads are represented by positive and negative imaginary potentials. Thus probability densities, currents flows, etc., for open quantum dots or billiards may be simulated in this way by solving the Schrödinger equation with a complex potential. Here we consider a nominally open ballistic quantum dot emulated by a planar microwave billiard. Results for probability distributions for densities, currents (Poynting vector), and stress tensor components are presented and compared with predictions based on Gaussian random wave theory. The results are also discussed in view of the corresponding measurements for the analogous microwave cavity. The model is of conceptual as well as of practical and educational interest.

Density and correlation functions of vortex and saddle points in open billiard systems

We present microwave measurements for the density and spatial correlation of current critical points in an open billiard system and compare them with new and previous predictions of the random-wave model (RWM). In particular, due to an improvement of the experimental setup, we determine experimentally the spatial correlation of saddle points of the current field. An asymptotic expression for the vortex-saddle and saddle-saddle correlation functions based on the RWM is derived, with experiment and theory agreeing well. We also derive an expression for the density of saddle points in the presence of a straight boundary with general mixed boundary conditions in the RWM and compare with experimental measurements of the vortex and saddle density in the vicinity of a straight wall satisfying Dirichlet conditions.

Quantum stress in chaotic billiards

This paper reports on a joint theoretical and experimental study of the Pauli quantum-mechanical stress tensor T_{alphabeta}(x,y) for open two-dimensional chaotic billiards. In the case of a finite current flow through the system the interior wave function is expressed as psi=u+iv . With the assumption that u and v are Gaussian random fields we derive analytic expressions for the statistical distributions for the quantum stress tensor components T_{alphabeta} . The Gaussian random field model is tested for a Sinai billiard with two opposite leads by analyzing the scattering wave functions obtained numerically from the corresponding Schrödinger equation. Two-dimensional quantum billiards may be emulated from planar microwave analogs. Hence we report on microwave measurements for an open two-dimensional cavity and how the quantum stress tensor analog is extracted from the recorded electric field. The agreement with the theoretical predictions for the distributions for T_{alphabeta}(x,y) is quite satisfactory for small net currents. However, a distinct difference between experiments and theory is observed at higher net flow, which could be explained using a Gaussian random field, where the net current was taken into account by an additional plane wave with a preferential direction and amplitude.

Statistics of nodal points of in-plane random waves in elastic media

We consider the nodal points (NPs) u=0 and v=0 of the in-plane vectorial displacements u=(u,v) which obey the Navier-Cauchy equation. Similar to the Berry conjecture of quantum chaos, we present the in-plane eigenstates of chaotic billiards as the real part of the superposition of longitudinal and transverse plane waves with random phases. By an average over random phases we derive the mean density and correlation function of NPs. Consequently we consider the distribution of the nearest distances between NPs.

Nodal domains in open microwave systems

Nodal domains are studied both for real psiR and imaginary part psiI of the wave functions of an open microwave cavity and found to show the same behavior as wave functions in closed billiards. In addition we investigate the variation of the number of nodal domains and the signed area correlation by changing the global phase phig according to psiR+ipsiI=eiphig(psiR'+ipsiI'). This variation can be qualitatively, and the correlation quantitatively explained in terms of the phase rigidity characterizing the openness of the billiard.

Emulation of quantum mechanical billiards by electrical resonance circuits

We propose that a two-dimensional electric network may be used for fundamental studies of wave function properties, transport, and related statistics. Using Kirchhoff's current law and the j omega method we find that the network is analogous to a discretized Schrödinger equation for quantum billiards and dots. Thus complex electric potentials play the role of quantum mechanical wave functions. Ways of realizing the electric network are discussed briefly. The role of symmetries is outlined, and a direct way of selecting states with a given symmetry is presented.

Electric circuit networks equivalent to chaotic quantum billiards

We consider two electric RLC resonance networks that are equivalent to quantum billiards. In a network of inductors grounded by capacitors, the eigenvalues of the quantum billiard correspond to the squared resonant frequencies. In a network of capacitors grounded by inductors, the eigenvalues of the billiard are given by the inverse of the squared resonant frequencies. In both cases, the local voltages play the role of the wave function of the quantum billiard. However, unlike for quantum billiards, there is a heat power because of the resistance of the inductors. In the equivalent chaotic billiards, we derive a distribution of the heat power which describes well the numerical statistics.

Measurement of long-range wave-function correlations in an open microwave billiard

We investigate the statistical properties of wave functions in an open chaotic cavity. When the number of channels in the openings of the billiard is increased by varying the frequency, wave functions cross over from real to complex. The distribution of the phase rigidity, which characterizes the degree to which a wave function is complex, and long-range correlations of intensity and current density are studied as a function of the number of channels in the openings. All measured quantities are in perfect agreement with theoretical predictions.

Statistics of wave functions and currents induced by spin-orbit interaction in chaotic billiards

We show that the wave function and current statistics in chaotic Robnik billiards crucially depend on the constant of the spin-orbit interaction (SOI). For small constant the current statistics is described by universal current distributions derived for slightly opened chaotic billiards [Saichev et al., J. Phys. A 35, L87 (2002)] although one of the components of the spinor eigenfunctions is not universal. For strong SOI both components of the spinor eigenstate are complex random Gaussian fields. This observation allows us to derive the distributions of spin-orbit persistent currents which well describe numerical statistics. For intermediate values of the statistics of the eigenstates and currents, both are deeply nonuniversal.

Current statistics for wave transmission through an open Sinai billiard: effects of net currents

Transport through quantum and microwave cavities is studied by analytic and numerical techniques. In particular, we consider the statistics for a finite net probability current (Poynting vector) <j> flowing through an open ballistic Sinai billiard to which two opposite leads/wave guides are attached. We show that if the net probability current is small, the scattering wave function inside the billiard is well approximated by a Gaussian random complex field. In this case, the current statistics are universal and obey simple analytic forms. For larger net currents, these forms still apply over several orders of magnitudes. However, small characteristic deviations appear in the tail regions. Although the focus is on electron and microwave billiards, the analysis is relevant also to other classical wave cavities as, for example, open planar acoustic reverberation rooms, elastic membranes, and water surface waves in irregularly shaped vessels.

Current statistics for transport through rectangular and circular billiards

We consider the statistics of currents for electron (microwave) transmission through rectangular and circular billiards. For the resonant transmission the current distribution is describing by the universal distribution [J. Phys. A 35, L87 (2002)]]. For the more typical case of nonresonant transmission the current statistics reveals features of the current channeling (corridor effect) interior of the billiard. The numerical statistics is compared with analytical distributions.

Wave function statistics in open chaotic billiards

We study the statistical properties of wave functions in a chaotic billiard that is opened up to the outside world. Upon increasing the openings, the billiard wave functions cross over from real to complex. Each wave function is characterized by a phase rigidity, which is itself a fluctuating quantity. We calculate the probability distribution of the phase rigidity and discuss how phase rigidity fluctuations cause long-range correlations of intensity and current density. We also find that phase rigidities for wave functions with different incoming wave boundary conditions are statistically correlated.

Crossover from regular to irregular behavior in current flow through open billiards

We discuss signatures of quantum chaos in terms of distributions of nodal points, saddle points, and streamlines for coherent electron transport through two-dimensional billiards, which are either nominally integrable or chaotic. As typical examples of the two cases we select rectangular and Sinai billiards. We have numerically evaluated distribution functions for nearest distances between nodal points and found that there is a generic form for open chaotic billiards through which a net current is passed. We have also evaluated the distribution functions for nodal points with specific vorticity (winding number) as well as for saddle points. The distributions may be used as signatures of quantum chaos in open systems. All distributions are well reproduced using random complex linear combinations of nearly monochromatic states in nominally closed billiards. In the case of rectangular billiards with simple sharp-cornered leads the distributions have characteristic features related to order among the nodal points. A flaring or rounding of the contact regions may, however, induce a crossover to nodal point distributions and current flow typical for quantum chaos. For an irregular arrangement of nodal points, as for example in the Sinai billiard, the quantum flow lines become very complex and volatile, recalling chaos among classical trajectories. Similarities with percolation are pointed out.