Inhibition of mixing in chaotic quantum dynamics

Journal Article · Wed Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1995 · Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.51.1849· OSTI ID:6590027

Helmkamp, B S; Browne, D A ^[1]

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1. Department of Physics and Astronomy, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803-4001 (United States)

We study the quantum chaotic dynamics of an initially well-localized wave packet in a cosine potential perturbed by an external time-dependent force. For our choice of initial condition and with [h bar] small but finite, we find that the wvae packet behaves classically (meaning that the quantum behavior is indistinguishable from that of the analogous classical system) as long as the motion is confined to the interior of the remnant separatrix of the cosine potential. Once the classical motion becomes unbounded, however, we find that quantum interference effects dominate. This interference leads to a long-lived accumulation of quantum ampliutde on top of the cosine barrier. This pinning of the amplitude on the barrier is a dynamic mechanism for the quantum inhibition of classical mixing.

• OSTI ID: 6590027
• Journal Information: Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics; (United States), Journal Name: Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics; (United States) Vol. 51:3; ISSN 1063-651X; ISSN PLEEE8
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

661100* -- Classical & Quantum Mechanics-- (1992-)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
INTERFERENCE
MATHEMATICAL SPACE
MECHANICS
MIXING
PHASE SPACE
QUANTUM MECHANICS
SEMICLASSICAL APPROXIMATION
SPACE
WAVE PACKETS