Time-reversal characteristics of quantum normal diffusion: time-continuous models

In quantum map systems exhibiting normal diffusion, time-reversal characteristics converge to a universal scaling behavior which implies a prototype of irreversible quantum process [H.S. Yamada, K.S. Ikeda, Eur. Phys. J. B 85, 41 (2012)]. In the present paper, we extend the investigation of time-reversal characteristic to time-continuous quantum systems which show normal diffusion. Typical four representative models are examined, which is either deterministic or stochastic, and either has or not has the classical counterpart. Extensive numerical examinations demonstrate that three of the four models have the time-reversal characteristics obeying the same universal limit as the quantum map systems. The only nontrivial counterexample is the critical Harper model, whose time-reversal characteristics significantly deviates from the universal curve. In the critical Harper model modulated by a weak noise that does not change the original diffusion constant, time-reversal characteristic recovers the universal behavior.     

Time-reversal test for stochastic quantum dynamics

The calculation of quantum dynamics is currently a central issue in theoretical physics, with diverse applications ranging from ultracold atomic Bose-Einstein condensates to condensed matter, biology, and even astrophysics. Here we demonstrate a conceptually simple method of determining the regime of validity of stochastic simulations of unitary quantum dynamics by employing a time-reversal test. We apply this test to a simulation of the evolution of a quantum anharmonic oscillator with up to 6.022x10(23) (Avogadro's number) of particles. This system is realizable as a Bose-Einstein condensate in an optical lattice, for which the time-reversal procedure could be implemented experimentally.     

Muonium quantum diffusion in cryocrystals

In this paper we review our recent study on muonium (Mu) diffusion in simplest solids — Van der Waals cryocrystals. We give experimental evidence for the quantum nature of Mu diffusion in these matters. The results are compared with the current theory of quantum diffusion in insulators. The first direct observation of theT ⁷ power-law for the Mu hop rate (in solid nitrogen) is taken as confirmation of two-phonon scattering mechanism. In solid xenon the one-phonon interaction is shown to be dominant. Muonium diffusion in solid neon is discussed in terms of band-like motion. Finally, we report a dramatic effect of impurities on Mu quantum diffusion.     

Empirical information on quantum diffusion

The applicability of the quantum theory of diffusion to experiments on muon motion in selected metals is examined. Thereby the conventional picture of immediate self-trapping of the muon is employed. Small-polaron hopping of muons at intermediate temperatures seems to be established. There are indications for coherent diffusion in several metals at low temperatures. The quantitative behavior of the diffusion coefficient or transfer rate at low temperatures found in Al and Cu is in disgreement with the theoretical predictions.Many discussions with O. Hartmann, E. Karlsson, L.O. Norlin, T.O. Niinikoski, D. Richter, J.M. Welter, and A. Yaouanc are grateful acknowledged.     

Time-reversal symmetry-breaking in two-band superconductors

Competition between an interband Josephson interaction and a biquadratic interband interaction can break time-reversal symmetry when the interband interactions are very weak compared with the intraband interaction. We demonstrate this using the phenomenological Ginzburg–Landau free energy, taking into account terms essential for this phenomenon. This time-reversal symmetry-breaking state peels away a sheet of an interband phase difference soliton wall. This sheet is the domain wall between two different chiral states. The peeling reduces the formation energy of the domain wall. The domain wall can simultaneously erase the Meissner effect and the specific heat jump when the entropy invokes many domain walls, and its life time is prolonged by a pinning owing to an inhomogeneity such as surface roughness.     

Shape of the quantum diffusion front

We show that quantum diffusion has well-defined front shape. After an initial transient, the wave packet front (tails) is described by a stretched exponential P(x,t) = A(t)exp(-absolute value of [x/w](gamma)), with 1 < gamma < infinity, where w(t) is the spreading width which scales as w(t) approximately t(beta), with 0 < beta < or = 1. The two exponents satisfy the universal relation gamma = 1/(1-beta). We demonstrate these results through numerical work on one-dimensional quasiperiodic systems and the three-dimensional Anderson model of disorder. We provide an analytical derivation of these relations by using the memory function formalism of quantum dynamics. Furthermore, we present an application to experimental results for the quantum kicked rotor.     

A theory of quantum diffusion localization

The quantum localization of chaotically diffusive classical motion is reviewed, using the kicked rotator as a simple but instructive example. The specific quantum steady state, which results from statistical relaxation in the discrete spectrum, is described in some detail. A new phenomenological theory of quantum dynamical relaxation is presented and compared with the previously existing theory.     

Coherent control of quantum chaotic diffusion

Extensive coherent control over quantum chaotic diffusion using the kicked rotor model is demonstrated and its origin in deviations from random matrix theory is identified. Further, the extent of control in the presence of external decoherence is established. The results are relevant to both areas of quantum chaos and coherent control.     

Topological quantum characteristics observed in the investigation of the conductivity in normal metals

It is shown that the investigation of the conductivity in a single crystal of a normal metal with a complicated Fermi surface in strong magnetic fields B can reveal integral topological characteristics which are determined by the topology of open-ended quasiclassical electron trajectories. Specifically, in the case of open-ended trajectories of the general position there always exists a direction η orthogonal to B in which the conductivity approaches zero for large B, and this direction lies in some integral (i.e., generated by two reciprocal-lattice vectors) plane that remains stationary for small variations of the direction of B. Pis’ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 63, No. 10, 809–813 (25 May 1996)     

Time-reversal analysis for scatterer characterization

A new application of time-reversal processing of wave scattering data permits characterization of scatterers by analyzing the number and nature of the singular functions (or eigenfunctions) associated with individual scatterers when they have multiple contributions from monopole, dipole, and/or quadrupole scattering terms. We discuss acoustic, elastic, and electromagnetic scattering problems for low frequencies. Specific examples for electromagnetic scattering from one of a number of small conducting spheres show that each sphere can have up to six distinct time-reversal eigenfunctions associated with it.     

Turbulent-like diffusion in complex quantum systems

We study a quantum particle propagating through a “quantum mechanically chaotic” background, described by parametric random matrices with only short range spatial correlations. The particle is found to exhibit turbulent-like diffusion under very general situations, without the a priori introduction of power law noise or scaling in the background properties.     

Manifestation of Arnol'd diffusion in quantum systems

We study an analog of the classical Arnol'd diffusion in a quantum system of two coupled nonlinear oscillators one of which is governed by an external periodic force with two frequencies. In a classical model this very weak diffusion happens in a narrow stochastic layer along the coupling resonance and leads to an increase of the total energy of the system. We show that quantum dynamics of wave packets mimics, up to some extent, global properties of the classical Arnol'd diffusion. This specific diffusion represents a new type of quantum dynamics and may be observed, for example, in 2D semiconductor structures (quantum billiards) perturbed by time-periodic external fields.     

Inhomogeneous quantum diffusion of muons in solids

This article deals with the problems raised when a muon(muonium) quantum diffusion in a crystal is highly inhomogeneous. It is shown how static disorder arising from the crystal doping influence the diffusion process and drastically changes both the time decay of the polarization function and the temperature dependence of the depolarization rate. The spin depolarization of muons moving in a spatially inhomogeneous defect potential and trapping of particles by the long-ranged traps is studied in detail. Most attention is given to the particle localization and delocalization phenomena resulting in the two-component behavior of muon polarization at low temperature. Finally, the experimental data on muon depolarization in insulators KCl, GaAs, N₂ and superconducting metals Al, V are analyzed.     

Theory of hot-electron quantum diffusion in semiconductors

In the linear response regime close to equilibrium, the fluctuation-dissipation theorem relates linear transport coefficients via the well-known Green–Kubo or Einstein relation. The latter embodies a deep connection between fluctuations causing diffusion and dissipation, which are responsible for a finite mobility. Far from equilibrium, however, the Einstein relation is no longer valid so that both the mobility and diffusivity gain their own physical integrity. Consequently, beyond a linear response, both quantities have to be described by different approaches. Unfortunately, there is a strong imbalance of research activities devoted to the study of both transport mechanisms in semiconductors. On one hand, the rich physics of high-field quantum drift in semiconducting structures has a long history and has reached a high level of sophistication. On the other hand, there are only comparatively few and unsystematic studies that cover quantum diffusion of carriers under high-field conditions. This review aims at reducing this gap by presenting a unified approach to quantum drift and quantum diffusion. Starting from a semi-phenomenological basis, a quantum theory of transport coefficients is developed for one- as well as multi-band models. Physical implications are illustrated by selected applications whereby the quantum character of the approach is emphasized. Furthermore, the basic unified treatment of transport coefficients is extended by accounting for the two-time dependence of one-particle correlation functions in quantum statistics. As an application, a phononless transport mechanism is identified, which solely originates from the double-time nature of the evolution. Finally, additional examples are presented that illustrate the important role played by quantum diffusion in semiconductor physics.     

Time-reversal and super-resolving phase measurements

We demonstrate phase super-resolution in the absence of entangled states. The key insight is to use the inherent time-reversal symmetry of quantum mechanics: our theory shows that it is possible to measure, as opposed to prepare, entangled states. Our approach is robust, requiring only photons that exhibit classical interference: we experimentally demonstrate high-visibility phase super-resolution with three, four, and six photons using a standard laser and photon counters. Our six-photon experiment demonstrates the best phase super-resolution yet reported with high visibility and resolution.     

Time-reversal asymmetry in financial systems

We investigate the large-fluctuation dynamics in financial markets, based on the minute-to-minute and daily data of the Chinese Indices and the German DAX. The dynamic relaxation both before and after the large fluctuations is characterized by a power law, and the exponents _p±$p_{\pm }$ usually vary with the strength of the large fluctuations. The large-fluctuation dynamics is time-reversal symmetric at the time scale in minutes, while asymmetric at the daily time scale. Careful analysis reveals that the time-reversal asymmetry is mainly induced by external forces. It is also the external forces which drive the financial system to a non-stationary state. Different characteristics of the Chinese and German stock markets are uncovered.     

The diffusion in the quantum Smoluchowski equation

A novel quantum Smoluchowski dynamics in an external, nonlinear potential has been derived recently. In its original form, this overdamped quantum dynamics is not compatible with the second law of thermodynamics if applied to periodic, but asymmetric ratchet potentials. An improved version of the quantum Smoluchowski equation with a modified diffusion function has been put forward in L. Machura et al. (Phys. Rev. E 70 (2004) 031107) and applied to study quantum Brownian motors in overdamped, arbitrarily shaped ratchet potentials. With this work we prove that the proposed diffusion function, which is assumed to depend (in the limit of strong friction) on the second-order derivative of the potential, is uniquely determined from the validity of the second law of thermodynamics in thermal, undriven equilibrium. Put differently, no approximation-induced quantum Maxwell demon is operating in thermal equilibrium. Furthermore, the leading quantum corrections correctly render the dissipative quantum equilibrium state, which distinctly differs from the corresponding Gibbs state that characterizes the weak (vanishing) coupling limit.