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

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.

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.

Phase rigidity and avoided level crossings in the complex energy plane

We consider the effective Hamiltonian of an open quantum system, its biorthogonal eigenfunctions phi(lambda), and define the value r(lambda)=(phi(lambda)|phi(lambda))/<phi(lambda)|phi(lambda)> that characterizes the phase rigidity of the eigenfunctions phi(lambda). In the scenario with avoided level crossings, r(lambda) varies between 1 and 0 due to the mutual influence of neighboring resonances. The variation of r(lambda) is an internal property of an open quantum system. In the literature, the phase rigidity rho of the scattering wave function Psi(C)(E) is considered. Since Psi(C)(E) can be represented in the interior of the system by the phi(lambda), the phase rigidity rho of the Psi(C)(E) is related to the r(lambda) and therefore also to the mutual influence of neighboring resonances. As a consequence, the reduction of the phase rigidity rho to values smaller than 1 should be considered, at least partly, as an internal property of an open quantum system in the overlapping regime. The relation to measurable values such as the transmission through a quantum dot, follows from the fact that the transmission is, in any case, resonant at energies that are determined by the real part of the eigenvalues of the effective Hamiltonian. We illustrate the relation between phase rigidity rho and transmission numerically for small open cavities.

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.