Quantum Chirikov criterion: Two particles in a box as a toy model for a quantum gas

We consider a toy model for emergence of chaos in a quantum many-body short-range-interacting system: two one-dimensional hard-core particles in a box, with a small mass defect as a perturbation over an integrable system, the latter represented by two equal mass particles. To that system, we apply a quantum generalization of Chirikov's criterion for the onset of chaos, i.e. the criterion of overlapping resonances. There, classical nonlinear resonances translate almost automatically to the quantum language. Quantum mechanics intervenes at a later stage: the resonances occupying less than one Hamiltonian eigenstate are excluded from the chaos criterion. Resonances appear as contiguous patches of low purity unperturbed eigenstates, separated by the groups of undestroyed states-the quantum analogues of the classical KAM tori.

Automated summary

This article presents a toy model that explores the emergence of chaos in a quantum many-body system. By applying the quantum generalization of Chirikov's criterion, the onset of chaos can be determined. Quantum mechanics plays a role in this process by translating classical nonlinear resonances into quantum language.