Symmetry-breaking in local Lyapunov exponents

Integrable dynamical systems, namely those having as many independent conserved quantities as freedoms, have all Lyapunov exponents equal to zero. Locally, the instantaneous or finite time Lyapunov exponents are nonzero, but owing to a symmetry, their global averages vanish. When the system becomes nonintegrable, this symmetry is broken. A parallel to this phenomenon occurs in mappings which derive from quasiperiodic Schr?dinger problems in 1-dimension. For values of the energy such that the eigenstate is extended, the Lyapunov exponent is zero, while if the eigenstate is localized, the Lyapunov exponent becomes negative. This occurs by a breaking of the quasiperiodic symmetry of local Lyapunov exponents, and corresponds to a breaking of a symmetry of the wavefunction in extended and critical states. Received 25 October 2001 / Received in final form 8 December 2001 Published online 2 October 2002 RID="a" ID="a"e-mail: r.ramaswamy@mail.jnu.ac.in     

Generalized thermodynamic ensembles for fractal measures

Summary Fractal measures are characterized by means of suitable conservation laws which can be expressed either by introducing pointwise dimensions (local approach) or by evaluating global dynamical invariants like the dimension functionD(q). The two points of view are formally equivalent to statistical mechanics and thermodynamics, respectively. Nonlinear dissipative dynamical systems are mapped onto one-dimensional Hamiltonian spin models with the introduction of appropriate statistical ensembles, using symbolic dynamics. The various thermodynamic ensembles are shown to be related to different covering procedures for fractal measures. Nonanalytic behaviour of the dimension functionD(q) is interpreted in terms of phase transitions on the time lattice. This phenomenon, occurring for non-self-similar measures, is due to long-time correlations in the symbolic dynamics and is not restricted to nonhyperbolic systems.

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Riassunto Le misure frattali vengono caratterizzate per mezzo di leggi di conservazione che possono essere espresse introducendo dimensioni puntiformi (approccio locale) o valutando invarianti dinamici globali come la funzione dimensioneD(q). I due punti di vista sono formalmente equivalenti a meccanica statistica e termodinamica, rispettivamente. Attraverso la dinamica simbolica, è possibile rappresentare i sistemi dinamici dissipativi nonlineari per mezzo di modelli di spin Hamiltoniani in reticoli unidimensionali, con l'introduzione di insiemi statistici appropriati. Si mostra che i vari insiemi termodinamici sono legati all'adozione di diversi ricoprimenti delle misure frattali. Il comportamento non analitico della funzione dimensioneD(q) viene interpretato in termini di transizioni di fase sul reticolo temporale. Questo fenomeno, che appare nelle misure non ?auto-similari?, è dovuto a correlazioni a tempi lunghi nella dinamica simbolica e non è ristretto ai sistemi non iperbolici.

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Резюме Фрактальные меры характеризуются с помощью соответствующих законов сохранения, которые могут быть выражены путем введения точечных размерностей (локальный подход) или путем вычисления глобальных динамических инвариантов, подобных функции размерностиD(q). Эти две точки зрения являются формально эквивалентными соответственно статистической механике и термодинамике. Нелинейные диссипативные динамические системы отображаются в одномерные гамильтоновы спиновые модели с введением соответствующих статистических ансамблей, используя символическую динамику. Показывается, что различные термодинамические ансамбли связаны с различными процедурами для фрактальных мер. Неаналитическое поведение функции размерностиD(q) интерпретируется в терминах фазовых переходов на временной решетке. Это явление, возникающее для несамоподобных мер, обусловлено длинно-временными корреляциями в символической динамике и не ограничено негиперболическими системами.

     

Molecular spectra, quantum chaos, and scars

Low resolution features in the spectra of classically chaotic atomic and molecular systems are known to be related to recurrences induced by classical periodic motions. In this paper we study how such characteristics reveal in the LiNC/LiCN isomerizing molecular system, and describe how the transition from regularity to classical chaos that takes place in this system shows up at quantum level in the structure of the corresponding wavefunctions in the form of “scars”. To this end we use some projection techniques, based on the propagation of wave packets, which have been developed in our laboratory. In this way some regions at the border of the chaotic region can be detected, in which the systematics of “scar” formation can be studied at a very elementary level, without complications due to the high level density which are customarily used in this type of studies in order to achieve the semiclassical limit. Received: 16 March 1998 / Revised: 23 April 1998 / Accepted: 4 May 1998     

Generalized Lyapunov exponents in high-dimensional chaotic dynamics and products of large random matrices

We study the behavior of the generalized Lyapunov exponents for chaotic symplectic dynamical systems and products of random matrices in the limit of large dimensionsD. For products of random matrices without any particular structure the generalized Lyapunov exponents become equal in this limit and the value of one of the generalized Lyapunov exponents is obtained by simple arguments. On the contrary, for random symplectic matrices with peculiar structures and for chaotic symplectic maps the generalized Lyapunov exponents remains different forD , indicating that high dimensionality cannot always destroy intermittency.     

Using continuous control for amplification and displacement of chaotic signals

Continuous control, used on chaotic systems that bear some special symmetries, gives rise to interesting generalized synchronization behaviors which include modification of signal amplitudes, and trajectories of the system being controlled that reproduce the controller attractor in a region of phase space out of the region where it is stable. Theoretical reasoning and computer simulations show how continuous control methods can be used to obtain these generalized synchronization behaviors, and to tune the desired degree of amplification or displacement. Moreover it is shown that these behaviors can be asymptotically stable, and very robust against external noise and mismatches in the controlling arrangement. Received: 11 March 1998 / Revised: 9 July 1998 / Accepted: 13 July 1998     

Event-enhanced quantum theory and piecewise deterministic dynamics

The standard formalism of quantum theory is enhanced and definite meaning is given to the concepts of experiment, measurement and event. Within this approach one obtains a uniquely defined piecewise deterministic algorithm generating quantum jumps, classical events and histories of single quantum objects. The wave-function Monte Carlo method of Quantum Optics is generalized and promoted to the level of a fundamental process generating all the real events in Nature. The already worked out applications include SQUID-tank model and generalized cloud chamber model with GRW spontaneous localization as a particular case. Differences between the present approach and quantum measurement theories based on environment-induced master equations are stressed. Questions: what is classical, what is time, and what observers are addressed. Possible applications of the new approach are suggested, among them connection between the stochastic commutative geometry and Connes' noncommutative formulation of the Standard Model, as well as potential applications to the theory and practice of quantum computers.     

A fundamental threat to quantum cryptography: gravitational attacks

An attack on the “Bennett-Brassard 84” (BB84) quantum key-exchange protocol in which Eve exploits the action of gravitation to infer information about the quantum-mechanical state of the qubit exchanged between Alice and Bob, is described. It is demonstrated that the known laws of physics do not allow to describe the attack. Without making assumptions that are not based on broad consensus, the laws of quantum gravity, unknown up to now, would be needed even for an approximate treatment. Therefore, it is currently not possible to predict with any confidence if information gained in this attack will allow to break BB84. Contrary to previous belief, a proof of the perfect security of BB84 cannot be based on the assumption that the known laws of physics are strictly correct, yet. A speculative parameterization that characterizes the time-evolution operator of quantum gravity for the gravitational attack is presented. It allows to evaluate the results of gravitational attacks on BB84 quantitatively. It is proposed to perform state-of-the-art gravitational attacks, both for a complete security assurance of BB84 and as an unconventional search for experimental effects of quantum gravity.     

Reconsidering Mermin’s “In Praise of Measurement”

We critically analyze a recent paper by D. Mermin and we compare his statements with Bell’s position on the problems he is discussing. It is a pleasure for me to dedicate this paper to Prof. Pekka Lathi on the occasion of his 60th birthday.     

Statistical properties of Lyapunov exponents and of quantum conductance of random systems in the regime of hopping transport

The statistics of the zero-temperature conductance and the Lyapunov exponents of one-, two- and three-dimensional disordered systems in the regime of strong localization is studied numerically. In one dimension, the origin of the universality of the moments of the conductance is explained. The relation between the most probable value of the conductance and its configurational average is discussed. The relative fluctuations of the conductance (and of the resistance) are shown to grow exponentially with the system length. In higher dimensions the conductance is almost entirely determined by the smallest of the Lyapunov exponents. The statistics of the conductance is therefore the same as in the one dimensional case. A model is proposed for the treatment of the fluctuations in hopping transport at finite temperatures. An exponential dependence of the relative fluctuations of the conductance/resistance on the temperature is predicted, log (δg/g) ∞ T^?a with α = 1/(d+1). It is concluded that the presently available experimental data on the temperature dependence of the conductance fluctuations in the hopping regime can be understood by replacing the system size in the zerotemperature result for the fluctuations of the conductance by the hopping length.     

Escape from the quantum pigeon conundrum

It has recently been argued in Aharonov et al. (2016) that quantum mechanics violates the Pigeon Counting Principle (PCP) which states that if one distributes three pigeons among two boxes there must be at least two pigeons in one of the boxes. However, this conclusion cannot be justified by rigorous theoretical arguments. The issue is further complicated by experimental confirmation of the transition amplitudes predicted in this paper that nevertheless do not support the conclusion of PCP violation. Here we prove via a set of operator identities that the PCP is not violated within quantum mechanics, regardless of interpretation.     

Role of environment and confinement in quantum dissipative dynamics: A pedestrian approach

In this paper, the long time and short time behavior of a free quantum Brownian particle and of a quantum harmonic oscillator coupled to a quantum heat bath is investigated for different spectral density functions. Not only are the usual Ohmic, Drude or radiation heat bath schemes employed to derive explicit expressions for the generalized susceptibility χ(t)$\chi \left(t\right)$ and the position correlation function σ(t)$\sigma \left(t\right)$ but also the most intriguing frequency dependent heat bath spectra are considered. Emphasis is laid on the dependence on the low-frequency behavior but in some cases also the high-frequency cutoff becomes relevant. The present investigation also sheds light on the role of boundary in long time and short time behavior of quantum dissipative systems.     

A Quantum-Like Description of the Planetary Systems

The Titius–Bode law for planetary distances is reviewed. A model describing the basic features of this rule in the “quantum-like” language of a wave equation is proposed. Some considerations about the ’t Hooft idea on the quantum behavior of deterministic systems with dissipation are discussed.     

Positive Lyapunov exponents in the Kramers oscillator

The maximum Lyapunov exponent is computed numerically for the double-well oscillator in a heat bath. Positive exponents are found in a wide range of friction coefficients in the low-damping regime.     

Dynamic critical properties of a one-dimensional probabilistic cellular automaton

Dynamic properties of a one-dimensional probabilistic cellular automaton are studied by Monte Carlo simulation near a critical point which marks a second-order phase transition from an active state to an effectively unique absorbing state. Values obtained for the dynamic critical exponents indicate that the transition belongs to the universality class of directed percolation. Finally the model is compared with a previously studied one to show that a difference in the nature of the absorbing states places them in different universality classes. Received: 6 February 1998 / Revised and Accepted: 17 February 1998     

Comprehensive experimental test of quantum erasure

In an interferometer, path information and interference visibility are incompatible quantities. Complete determination of the path will exclude any possibility of interference, rendering zero visibility. However, it is, under certain conditions, possible to trade the path information for improved (conditioned) visibility. This procedure is called quantum erasure. We have performed such experiments with polarization-entangled photon pairs. Using a partial polarizer, we could vary the degree of entanglement between the object and the probe. We could also vary the interferometer splitting ratio and thereby vary the a priori path predictability. This allowed us to test quantum erasure under a number of different experimental conditions. All experiments were in good agreement with theory. Received 15 July 2001 and Received in final form 30 November 2001     

Quantum spin dynamics as a model for quantum computer operation

We study effects of the physical realization of quantum computers on their logical operation. Through simulation of physical models of quantum computer hardware, we analyze the difficulties that are encountered in programming physical realizations of quantum computers. Examples of logically identical implementations of the controlled-NOT operation and Grover's database search algorithm are used to demonstrate that the results of a quantum computation are unstable with respect to the physical realization of the quantum computer. We discuss the origin of these instabilities and discuss possibilities to overcome this, for practical purposes, fundamental limitation of quantum computers. Received 5 November 2001 and Received in final form 8 February 2002     

Non-equilibrium steady-states of memoryless quantum collision models

We investigate the steady state properties arising from the open system dynamics described by a memoryless (Markovian) quantum collision model, corresponding to a master equation in the ultra-strong coupling regime. By carefully assessing the work cost of switching on and off the system-environment interaction, we show that only a coupling Hamiltonian in the energy-preserving form drives the system to thermal equilibrium, while any other interaction leads to non-equilibrium steady states that are supported by steady-state currents. These currents provide a neat exemplification of the housekeeping work and heat. Furthermore, we characterize the specific form of system-environment interaction that drives the system to a steady-state exhibiting coherence in the energy eigenbasis, thus, giving rise to families of states that are non-passive.     

An Introduction to Many Worlds in Quantum Computation

The interpretation of quantum mechanics is an area of increasing interest to many working physicists. In particular, interest has come from those involved in quantum computing and information theory, as there has always been a strong foundational element in this field. This paper introduces one interpretation of quantum mechanics, a modern ‘many-worlds’ theory, from the perspective of quantum computation. Reasons for seeking to interpret quantum mechanics are discussed, then the specific ‘neo-Everettian’ theory is introduced and its claim as the best available interpretation defended. The main objections to the interpretation, including the so-called “problem of probability” are shown to fail. The local nature of the interpretation is demonstrated, and the implications of this both for the interpretation and for quantum mechanics more generally are discussed. Finally, the consequences of the theory for quantum computation are investigated, and common objections to using many worlds to describe quantum computing are answered. We find that using this particular many-worlds theory as a physical foundation for quantum computation gives several distinct advantages over other interpretations, and over not interpreting quantum theory at all.