1/f alpha noise in spectral fluctuations of quantum systems

Phys Rev Lett. 2005 Mar 4;94(8):084101. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.94.084101. Epub 2005 Mar 3.

Abstract

The power law 1/f(alpha) in the power spectrum characterizes the fluctuating observables of many complex natural systems. Considering the energy levels of a quantum system as a discrete time series where the energy plays the role of time, the level fluctuations can be characterized by the power spectrum. Using a family of quantum billiards, we analyze the order-to-chaos transition in terms of this power spectrum. A power law 1/f(alpha) is found at all the transition stages, and it is shown that the exponent alpha is related to the chaotic component of the classical phase space of the quantum system.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Models, Biological
  • Models, Theoretical*
  • Nonlinear Dynamics
  • Quantum Theory*