Quantum Graphs: A model for Quantum Chaos

We study the statistical properties of the scattering matrix associated with generic quantum graphs. The scattering matrix is the quantum analogue of the classical evolution operator on the graph. For the energy-averaged spectral form factor of the scattering matrix we have recently derived an exact combinatorial expression. It is based on a sum over families of periodic orbits which so far could only be performed in special graphs. Here we present a simple algorithm implementing this summation for any graph. Our results are in excellent agreement with direct numerical simulations for various graphs. Moreover we extend our previous notion of an ensemble of graphs by considering ensemble averages over random boundary conditions imposed at the vertices. We show numerically that the corresponding form factor follows the predictions of random-matrix theory when the number of vertices is large---even when all bond lengths are degenerate. The corresponding combinatorial sum has a structure similar to the one obtained previously by performing an energy average under the assumption of incommensurate bond lengths.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures. Contribution to the conference on Dynamics of Complex Systems, Dresden (1999

Nonadiabatic couplings and incipience of quantum chaos

The quantization of the electronic two site system interacting with a vibration is considered by using as the integrable reference system the decoupled oscillators resulting from the adiabatic approximation. A specific Bloch projection method is applied which demonstrates how besides some regular regions in the fine structure of the spectrum and the associated eigenvectors irregularities appear when passing from the low to the high coupling case. At the same time even for strong coupling some of the regular structure of the spectrum rooted in the adiabatic potentials is kept intact justifying the classification of this situation as incipience of quantum chaos.Comment: 16 pages including figure

Directed chaos in a billiard chain with transversal magnetic field

In generic Hamiltonian systems with a mixed phase space chaotic transport may be directed and ballistic rather than diffusive. We investigate one particular model showing this behaviour, namely a spatially periodic billiard chain in which electrons move under the influence of a perpendicular magnetic field. We analyze the phase-space structure and derive an explicit expression for the chaotic transport velocity. Unlike previous studies of directed chaos our model has a parameter regime in which the dispersion of an ensemble of chaotic trajectories around its moving center of mass is essentially diffusive. We explain how in this limit the deterministic chaos reduces to a biased random walk in a billiard with a rough surface. The diffusion constant for this simplified model is calculated analytically

Statistical properties of resonance widths for open Quantum Graphs

We connect quantum compact graphs with infinite leads, and turn them into scattering systems. We derive an exact expression for the scattering matrix, and explain how it is related to the spectrum of the corresponding closed graph. The resulting expressions allow us to get a clear understanding of the phenomenon of resonance trapping due to over-critical coupling with the leads. Finally, we analyze the statistical properties of the resonance widths and compare our results with the predictions of Random Matrix Theory. Deviations appearing due to the dynamical nature of the system are pointed out and explained.Comment: 17 pages, 7 figures. submitted to Waves in Random Media, special issue for graph

Signature of directed chaos in the conductance of a nanowire

We study the conductance of chaotic or disordered wires in a situation where equilibrium transport decomposes into biased diffusion and a counter-moving regular current. A possible realization is a semiconductor nanostructure with transversal magnetic field and suitably patterned surfaces. We find a non-trivial dependence of the conductance on the wire length which differs qualitatively from Ohm's law by the existence of a characteristic length scale and a finite saturation value

The influence of tax regimes on distribution police of corporations: Evidence from German tax reforms

For more than 50 years, researchers around the world have been searching for a solution to Blacks famous 'dividend-puzzle'. However, despite tremendous efforts in different fields of economics, the influence of taxation on the distribution policy of firms has remained elusive and is still subject to extensive debate amongst scholars, professionals and politicians alike. In this paper, we try to shed some light on the discussion by presenting new empirical evidence from German tax reforms. Using a sample containing all firms listed at the Frankfurt stock exchange in the years from 1993 to 2009, we find robust evidence, that the switch from a split-rate tax system with full imputation to a shareholder relief system in 2002 and the change to a flat tax system in 2009 led to significant changes in the payout behavior of German firms. In line with the 'traditional view' of dividend taxation, German decision-makers cut back their dividend payments in response to the reduced advantageousness of dividends in comparison to capital gains after the reform. --Dividends,Taxation,Payout Policy

Topological Resonances in Scattering on Networks (Graphs)

We report on a hitherto unnoticed type of resonances occurring in scattering from networks (quantum graphs) which are due to the complex connectivity of the graph - its topology. We consider generic open graphs and show that any cycle leads to narrow resonances which do not fit in any of the prominent paradigms for narrow resonances (classical barriers, localization due to disorder, chaotic scattering). We call these resonances `topological' to emphasize their origin in the non-trivial connectivity. Topological resonances have a clear and unique signature which is apparent in the statistics of the resonance parameters (such as e.g., the width, the delay time or the wave-function intensity in the graph). We discuss this phenomenon by providing analytical arguments supported by numerical simulation, and identify the features of the above distributions which depend on genuine topological quantities such as the length of the shortest cycle (girth). These signatures cannot be explained using any of the other paradigms for narrow resonances. Finally, we propose an experimental setting where the topological resonances could be demonstrated, and study the stability of the relevant distribution functions to moderate dissipation

Combinatorial Identities from the Spectral Theory of Quantum Graphs

We present a few combinatorial identities which were encountered in our work on the spectral theory of quantum graphs. They establish a new connection between the theory of random matrix ensembles and combinatorics.Comment: 16 pages, RevTeX, 1 figur