Quantum chaos in the spectrum of operators used in Shor's algorithm

We provide compelling evidence for the presence of quantum chaos in the unitary part of Shor's factoring algorithm. In particular we analyze the spectrum of this part after proper desymmetrization and show that the fluctuations of the eigenangles as well as the distribution of the eigenvector components follow the CUE ensemble of random matrices, of relevance to quantized chaotic systems that violate time-reversal symmetry. However, as the algorithm tracks the evolution of a single state, it is possible to employ other operators, in particular it is possible that the generic quantum chaos found above becomes of a nongeneric kind such as is found in the quantum cat maps, and in toy models of the quantum bakers map.Comment: Title and paper modified to include interesting additional possibilities. Principal results unaffected. Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. E as Rapid Com

Eigenfunction statistics for a point scatterer on a three-dimensional torus

In this paper we study eigenfunction statistics for a point scatterer (the Laplacian perturbed by a delta-potential) on a three-dimensional flat torus. The eigenfunctions of this operator are the eigenfunctions of the Laplacian which vanish at the scatterer, together with a set of new eigenfunctions (perturbed eigenfunctions). We first show that for a point scatterer on the standard torus all of the perturbed eigenfunctions are uniformly distributed in configuration space. Then we investigate the same problem for a point scatterer on a flat torus with some irrationality conditions, and show uniform distribution in configuration space for almost all of the perturbed eigenfunctions.Comment: Revised according to referee's comments. Accepted for publication in Annales Henri Poincar

Hyperbolic Scar Patterns in Phase Space

We develop a semiclassical approximation for the spectral Wigner and Husimi functions in the neighbourhood of a classically unstable periodic orbit of chaotic two dimensional maps. The prediction of hyperbolic fringes for the Wigner function, asymptotic to the stable and unstable manifolds, is verified computationally for a (linear) cat map, after the theory is adapted to a discrete phase space appropriate to a quantized torus. The characteristic fringe patterns can be distinguished even for quasi-energies where the fixed point is not Bohr-quantized. The corresponding Husimi function dampens these fringes with a Gaussian envelope centered on the periodic point. Even though the hyperbolic structure is then barely perceptible, more periodic points stand out due to the weakened interference.Comment: 12 pages, 10 figures, Submited to Phys. Rev.

Using the Hadamard and related transforms for simplifying the spectrum of the quantum baker's map

We rationalize the somewhat surprising efficacy of the Hadamard transform in simplifying the eigenstates of the quantum baker's map, a paradigmatic model of quantum chaos. This allows us to construct closely related, but new, transforms that do significantly better, thus nearly solving for many states of the quantum baker's map. These new transforms, which combine the standard Fourier and Hadamard transforms in an interesting manner, are constructed from eigenvectors of the shift permutation operator that are also simultaneous eigenvectors of bit-flip (parity) and possess bit-reversal (time-reversal) symmetry.Comment: Version to appear in J. Phys. A. Added discussions; modified title; corrected minor error

Semiclassical measures and the Schroedinger flow on Riemannian manifolds

In this article we study limits of Wigner distributions (the so-called semiclassical measures) corresponding to sequences of solutions to the semiclassical Schroedinger equation at times scales $\alpha_{h}$ tending to infinity as the semiclassical parameter $h$ tends to zero (when $\alpha _{h}=1/h$ this is equivalent to consider solutions to the non-semiclassical Schreodinger equation). Some general results are presented, among which a weak version of Egorov's theorem that holds in this setting. A complete characterization is given for the Euclidean space and Zoll manifolds (that is, manifolds with periodic geodesic flow) via averaging formulae relating the semiclassical measures corresponding to the evolution to those of the initial states. The case of the flat torus is also addressed; it is shown that non-classical behavior may occur when energy concentrates on resonant frequencies. Moreover, we present an example showing that the semiclassical measures associated to a sequence of states no longer determines those of their evolutions. Finally, some results concerning the equation with a potential are presented.Comment: 18 pages; Theorems 1,2 extendend to deal with arbitrary time-scales; references adde

Crystal properties of eigenstates for quantum cat maps

Using the Bargmann-Husimi representation of quantum mechanics on a torus phase space, we study analytically eigenstates of quantized cat maps. The linearity of these maps implies a close relationship between classically invariant sublattices on the one hand, and the patterns (or `constellations') of Husimi zeros of certain quantum eigenstates on the other hand. For these states, the zero patterns are crystals on the torus. As a consequence, we can compute explicit families of eigenstates for which the zero patterns become uniformly distributed on the torus phase space in the limit $\hbar\to 0$. This result constitutes a first rigorous example of semi-classical equidistribution for Husimi zeros of eigenstates in quantized one-dimensional chaotic systems.Comment: 43 pages, LaTeX, including 7 eps figures Some amendments were made in order to clarify the text, mainly in the 4 first sections. Figures are unchanged. To be published in: Nonlinearit

How Chaotic is the Stadium Billiard? A Semiclassical Analysis

The impression gained from the literature published to date is that the spectrum of the stadium billiard can be adequately described, semiclassically, by the Gutzwiller periodic orbit trace formula together with a modified treatment of the marginally stable family of bouncing ball orbits. I show that this belief is erroneous. The Gutzwiller trace formula is not applicable for the phase space dynamics near the bouncing ball orbits. Unstable periodic orbits close to the marginally stable family in phase space cannot be treated as isolated stationary phase points when approximating the trace of the Green function. Semiclassical contributions to the trace show an $\hbar$ - dependent transition from hard chaos to integrable behavior for trajectories approaching the bouncing ball orbits. A whole region in phase space surrounding the marginal stable family acts, semiclassically, like a stable island with boundaries being explicitly $\hbar$-dependent. The localized bouncing ball states found in the billiard derive from this semiclassically stable island. The bouncing ball orbits themselves, however, do not contribute to individual eigenvalues in the spectrum. An EBK-like quantization of the regular bouncing ball eigenstates in the stadium can be derived. The stadium billiard is thus an ideal model for studying the influence of almost regular dynamics near marginally stable boundaries on quantum mechanics.Comment: 27 pages, 6 figures, submitted to J. Phys.

Scarring Effects on Tunneling in Chaotic Double-Well Potentials

The connection between scarring and tunneling in chaotic double-well potentials is studied in detail through the distribution of level splittings. The mean level splitting is found to have oscillations as a function of energy, as expected if scarring plays a role in determining the size of the splittings, and the spacing between peaks is observed to be periodic of period {$2\pi\hbar$} in action. Moreover, the size of the oscillations is directly correlated with the strength of scarring. These results are interpreted within the theoretical framework of Creagh and Whelan. The semiclassical limit and finite-{$\hbar$} effects are discussed, and connections are made with reaction rates and resonance widths in metastable wells.Comment: 22 pages, including 11 figure