Quantum ergodicity in mixed and KAM Hamiltonian systems

In this thesis, we investigate quantum ergodicity for two classes of Hamiltonian systems satisfying intermediate dynamical hypotheses between the well understood extremes of ergodic flow and quantum completely integrable flow. These two classes are mixed Hamiltonian systems and KAM Hamiltonian systems. Hamiltonian systems with mixed phase space decompose into finitely many invariant subsets, only some of which are of ergodic character. It has been conjectured by Percival that the eigenfunctions of the quantisation of this system decompose into associated families of analogous character. The first project in this thesis proves a weak form of this conjecture for a class of dynamical billiards, namely the mushroom billiards of Bunimovich for a full measure subset of a shape parameter $t\in (0,2]$. KAM Hamiltonian systems arise as perturbations of completely integrable Hamiltonian systems. The dynamics of these systems are well understood and have near-integrable character. The classical-quantum correspondence suggests that the quantisation of KAM systems will not have quantum ergodic character. The second project in this thesis proves an initial negative quantum ergodicity result for a class of positive Gevrey perturbations of a Gevrey Hamiltonian that satisfy a mild "slow torus" condition

A Shape Dynamical Approach to Holographic Renormalization

We provide a bottom-up argument to derive some known results from holographic renormalization using the classical bulk-bulk equivalence of General Relativity and Shape Dynamics, a theory with spatial conformal (Weyl) invariance. The purpose of this paper is twofold: 1) to advertise the simple classical mechanism: trading of gauge symmetries, that underlies the bulk-bulk equivalence of General Relativity and Shape Dynamics to readers interested in dualities of the type of AdS/CFT; and 2) to highlight that this mechanism can be used to explain certain results of holographic renormalization, providing an alternative to the AdS/CFT conjecture for these cases. To make contact with usual the semiclassical AdS/CFT correspondence, we provide, in addition, a heuristic argument that makes it plausible why the classical equivalence between General Relativity and Shape Dynamics turns into a duality between radial evolution in gravity and the renormalization group flow of a conformal field theory. We believe that Shape Dynamics provides a new perspective on gravity by giving conformal structure a primary role within the theory. It is hoped that this work provides the first steps towards understanding what this new perspective may be able to teach us about holographic dualities.Comment: 27 pages, no figures. Version to appear in EPJC. Title changed. Minor corrections to tex

Propagation of singularities and Fredholm analysis for the time-dependent Schr\"odinger equation

We study the time-dependent Schr\"odinger operator $P = D_t + \Delta_g + V$ acting on functions defined on $\mathbb{R}^{n+1}$, where, using coordinates $z \in \mathbb{R}^n$ and $t \in \mathbb{R}$, $D_t$ denotes $-i \partial_t$, $\Delta_g$ is the positive Laplacian with respect to a time dependent family of non-trapping metrics $g_{ij}(z, t) dz^i dz^j$ on $\mathbb{R}^n$ which is equal to the Euclidean metric outside of a compact set in spacetime, and $V = V(z, t)$ is a potential function which is also compactly supported in spacetime. In this paper we introduce a new approach to studying $P$, by finding pairs of Hilbert spaces between which the operator acts invertibly. Using this invertibility it is straightforward to solve the `final state problem' for the time-dependent Schr\"odinger equation, that is, find a global solution $u(z, t)$ of $Pu = 0$ having prescribed asymptotics as $t \to \infty$. These asymptotics are of the form $$u(z, t) \sim t^{-n/2} e^{i|z|^2/4t} f_+\big( \frac{z}{2t} \big), \quad t \to +\infty$$ where $f_+$, the `final state' or outgoing data, is an arbitrary element of a suitable function space $\mathcal{W}^k(\mathbb{R}^n)$; here $k$ is a regularity parameter simultaneously measuring smoothness and decay at infinity. We can of course equally well prescribe asymptotics as $t \to -\infty$; this leads to incoming data $f_-$. We consider the `Poisson operators' $\mathcal{P}_\pm : f_\pm \to u$ and precisely characterize the range of these operators on $\mathcal{W}^k(\mathbb{R}^n)$ spaces. Finally we show that the scattering matrix, mapping $f_-$ to $f_+$, preserves these spaces.Comment: 63 pages, 3 figure

Einstein gravity as a 3D conformally invariant theory

We give an alternative description of the physical content of general relativity that does not require a Lorentz invariant spacetime. Instead, we find that gravity admits a dual description in terms of a theory where local size is irrelevant. The dual theory is invariant under foliation preserving 3-diffeomorphisms and 3D conformal transformations that preserve the 3-volume (for the spatially compact case). Locally, this symmetry is identical to that of Horava-Lifshitz gravity in the high energy limit but our theory is equivalent to Einstein gravity. Specifically, we find that the solutions of general relativity, in a gauge where the spatial hypersurfaces have constant mean extrinsic curvature, can be mapped to solutions of a particular gauge fixing of the dual theory. Moreover, this duality is not accidental. We provide a general geometric picture for our procedure that allows us to trade foliation invariance for conformal invariance. The dual theory provides a new proposal for the theory space of quantum gravity.Comment: 27 pages. Published version (minor changes and corrections

Two-photon Lithography for 3D Magnetic Nanostructure Fabrication

Ferromagnetic materials have been utilised as recording media within data storage devices for many decades. Confinement of the material to a two dimensional plane is a significant bottleneck in achieving ultra-high recording densities and this has led to the proposition of three dimensional (3D) racetrack memories that utilise domain wall propagation along nanowires. However, the fabrication of 3D magnetic nanostructures of complex geometry is highly challenging and not easily achievable with standard lithography techniques. Here, by using a combination of two-photon lithography and electrochemical deposition, we show a new approach to construct 3D magnetic nanostructures of complex geometry. The magnetic properties are found to be intimately related to the 3D geometry of the structure and magnetic imaging experiments provide evidence of domain wall pinning at a 3D nanostructured junction