Level repulsion

Abstract: It now appears that the general nature of the deviations from uniformity in the spectrum of a complicated nucleus is essentially the same in all regions of the spectrum and over the entire Periodic Table. This behavior, moreover, is describable in terms of standard Hamiltonian ensembles which could be generated on the basis of simple information-theory concepts, and which give also a good account of fluctuation phenomena of other kinds and, apparently, in other many-body systems besides nuclei. The main departures from simple behavior are ascribable to the moderation of the level repulsion by effects due to symmetries and collectivities, for the description of which more complicated ensembles are called for. One purpose of this review is to give a self-contained account of the theory, using methods: sometimes approximate: which are consonant with the usual theory of stochastic processes. Another purpose is to give a proper foundation for the use of ensemble theory, to make clear the origin of the simplicities in the observable fluctuations, and to derive other general fluctuation results. In comparing theory and experiment, the authors give an analysis of much of the nuclear-energy-level data, as well as an extended discussion of observable effects in nuclear transitionsmore » and reactions and in the low-temperature thermodynamics of aggregates of small metallic particles.« less

Abstract: It is found that the level fluctuations of the quantum Sinai's billiard are consistent with the predictions of the Gaussian orthogonal ensemble of random matrices. This reinforces the belief that level fluctuation laws are universal.

Abstract: Microwave spectroscopy experiments have been performed on two quantum levels of a macroscopic superconducting loop with three Josephson junctions. Level repulsion of the ground state and first excited state is found where two classical persistent-current states with opposite polarity are degenerate, indicating symmetric and antisymmetric quantum superpositions of macroscopic states. The two classical states have persistent currents of 0.5 microampere and correspond to the center-of-mass motion of millions of Cooper pairs.

Abstract: Level repulsion is associated with exceptional points which are square root singularities of the energies as functions of a (complex) interaction parameter. This is also valid for resonance state energies. Using this concept it is argued that level anticrossing (crossing) must imply crossing (anticrossing) of the corresponding widths of the resonance states. Further, it is shown that an encircling of an exceptional point induces a phase change of one wave function but not of the other. An experimental setup is discussed where this phase behavior, which differs from the one encountered at a diabolic point, can be observed.