Daniel Waltner

Stationary waves on nonlinear quantum graphs: General framework and canonical perturbation theory.

In this paper we present a general framework for solving the stationary nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLSE) on a network of one-dimensional wires modeled by a metric graph with suitable matching conditions at the vertices. A formal solution is given that expresses the wave function and its derivative at one end of an edge (wire) nonlinearly in terms of the values at the other end. For the cubic NLSE this nonlinear transfer operation can be expressed explicitly in terms of Jacobi elliptic functions. Its application reduces the problem of solving the corresponding set of coupled ordinary nonlinear differential equations to a finite set of nonlinear algebraic equations. For sufficiently small amplitudes we use canonical perturbation theory, which makes it possible to extract the leading nonlinear corrections over large distances.

Semiclassical Gaps in the Density of States of Chaotic Andreev Billiards

The connection of a superconductor to a chaotic ballistic quantum dot leads to interesting phenomena, most notably the appearance of a hard gap in its excitation spectrum. Here we treat such an Andreev billiard semiclassically where the density of states is expressed in terms of the classical trajectories of electrons (and holes) that leave and return to the superconductor. We show how classical orbit correlations lead to the formation of the hard gap, as predicted by random matrix theory in the limit of negligible Ehrenfest time tau{E}, and how the influence of a finite tau{E} causes the gap to shrink. Furthermore, for intermediate tau{E} we predict a second gap below E=pi variant Plancks/2pi/2tau{E} which would presumably be the clearest signature yet of tau{E} effects.

Semiclassical Mechanism for the Quantum Decay in Open Chaotic Systems

We address the decay in open chaotic quantum systems and calculate semiclassical corrections to the classical exponential decay. We confirm random matrix predictions and, going beyond, calculate Ehrenfest time effects. To support our results we perform extensive numerical simulations. Within our approach we show that certain (previously unnoticed) pairs of interfering, correlated classical trajectories are of vital importance. They also provide the dynamical mechanism for related phenomena such as photoionization and photodissociation, for which we compute cross-section correlations. Moreover, these orbits allow us to establish a semiclassical version of the continuity equation.

Eigenvalue density of the doubly correlated Wishart model: exact results

Data sets collected at different times and different observing points can possess correlations at different times

Ehrenfest-time dependence of quantum transport corrections and spectral statistics

and

Loschmidt echo for local perturbations: non-monotonic cross-over from the Fermi-golden-rule to the escape-rate regime

at different positions. The doubly correlated Wishart model takes both into account. We calculate the eigenvalue density of the Wishart correlation matrices using supersymmetry. In the complex case we obtain a new closed form expression which we compare to previous results in the literature. In the more relevant and much more complicated real case we derive an expression for the density in terms of a fourfold integral. Finally, we calculate the density in the limit of large correlation matrices.

Semiclassical approach to the ac-conductance of chaotic cavities

The Ehrenfest-time scale in quantum transport separates essentially classical propagation from wave interference and here we consider its effect on the transmission and reflection through quantum dots. In particular, we calculate the Ehrenfest-time dependence of the next-to-leading-order quantum corrections to the transmission and reflection for dc and ac transport and check that our results are consistent with current conservation relations. Looking as well at spectral statistics in closed systems, we finally demonstrate how the contributions analyzed here imply changes in the calculation, given by Brouwer [Phys. Rev. E 74, 066208 (2006)], of the next-to-leading order of the spectral form factor. Our semiclassical result coincides with the result obtained by Tian and Larkin [Phys. Rev. B 70, 035305 (2004)] by field-theoretical methods.

Semiclassical Identification of Periodic Orbits in a Quantum Many-Body System

We address the sensitivity of quantum mechanical time evolution by considering the time decay of the Loschmidt echo (LE) (or fidelity) for local perturbations of the Hamiltonian. Within a semiclassical approach, we derive analytical expressions for the LE decay for chaotic systems for the whole range from weak to strong local perturbations and identify different decay regimes which complement those known for the case of global perturbations. For weak perturbations, a Fermi-golden-rule (FGR)-type behavior is recovered. For strong perturbations, the escape-rate regime is reached, where the LE decays exponentially with a rate independent of the perturbation strength. The transition between the FGR regime and the escape-rate regime is non-monotonic, i.e. the rate of the exponential time-decay of the LE oscillates as a function of the perturbation strength. We further perform extensive quantum mechanical calculations of the LE based on numerical wave packet evolution, which strongly support our semiclassical theory. Finally, we discuss in some detail possible experimental realizations for observing the predicted behavior of the LE.

Stationary waves on nonlinear quantum graphs. II. Application of canonical perturbation theory in basic graph structures

We address frequency-dependent quantum transport through mesoscopic conductors in the semiclassical limit. By generalizing the trajectory-based semiclassical theory of dc quantum transport to the ac case, we derive the average screened conductance as well as ac weak-localization corrections for chaotic conductors. Thereby we confirm respective random matrix results and generalize them by accounting for Ehrenfest time effects. We consider the case of a cavity connected through many leads to a macroscopic circuit which contains ac sources. In addition to the reservoir the cavity itself is capacitively coupled to a gate. By incorporating tunnel barriers between cavity and leads we obtain results for arbitrary tunnel rates. Finally, based on our findings we investigate the effect of dephasing on the charge relaxation resistance of a mesoscopic capacitor in the linear low-frequency regime.

Ehrenfest-time dependence of counting statistics for chaotic ballistic systems

While a wealth of results has been obtained for chaos in single-particle quantum systems, much less is known about chaos in quantum many-body systems. We contribute to recent efforts to make a semiclassical analysis of such systems feasible, which is nontrivial due to the exponential proliferation of orbits with increasing particle number. Employing a recently discovered duality relation, we focus on the collective, coherent motion that together with the also present incoherent one typically leads to a mixture of regular and chaotic dynamics. We investigate a kicked spin chain as an example of a presently experimentally and theoretically much studied class of systems.