Parametric spectral statistics in unitary random matrix ensembles: from distribution functions to intra-level correlations

Quantum Chaos and Level Dynamics

We review the application of level dynamics to spectra of quantally chaotic systems. We show that the statistical mechanics approach gives us predictions about level statistics intermediate between integrable and chaotic dynamics. Then we discuss in detail different statistical measures involving level dynamics, such as level avoided-crossing distributions, level slope distributions, or level curvature distributions. We show both the aspects of universality in these distributions and their limitations. We concentrate in some detail on measures imported from the quantum information approach such as the fidelity susceptibility, and more generally, geometric tensor matrix elements. The possible open problems are suggested.

Structure of trajectories of complex-matrix eigenvalues in the Hermitian-non-Hermitian transition

The statistical properties of trajectories of eigenvalues of Gaussian complex matrices whose Hermitian condition is progressively broken are investigated. It is shown how the ordering on the real axis of the real eigenvalues is reflected in the structure of the trajectories and also in the final distribution of the eigenvalues in the complex plane.

Statistics of resonance width shifts as a signature of eigenfunction nonorthogonality

We consider an open (scattering) quantum system under the action of a perturbation of its closed counterpart. It is demonstrated that the resulting shift of resonance widths is a sensitive indicator of the nonorthogonality of resonance wave functions, being zero only if those were orthogonal. Focusing further on chaotic systems, we employ random matrix theory to introduce a new type of parametric statistics in open systems and derive the distribution of the resonance width shifts in the regime of weak coupling to the continuum.

Surprising relations between parametric level correlations and fidelity decay

Relations among fidelity, cross-form-factor (i.e., parametric level correlations), and level velocity correlations are found both by deriving a Ward identity in a two-matrix model and by comparing exact results, using supersymmetry techniques, in the framework of random matrix theory. A power law decay near Heisenberg time, as a function of the relevant parameter, is shown to be at the root of revivals recently discovered for fidelity decay. For cross-form-factors the revivals are illustrated by a numerical study of a multiply kicked Ising spin chain.

Universality of parametric spectral correlations: local versus extended perturbing potentials

We explore the influence of an arbitrary external potential perturbation V on the spectral properties of a weakly disordered conductor. In the framework of a statistical field theory of a nonlinear sigma-model type we find, depending on the range and the profile of the external perturbation, two qualitatively different universal regimes of parametric spectral statistics (i.e., cross correlations between the spectra of Hamiltonians H and H+V). We identify the translational invariance of the correlations in the space of Hamiltonians as the key indicator of universality, and find the connection between the coordinate system in this space which makes the translational invariance manifest, and the physically measurable properties of the system. In particular, in the case of localized perturbations, the latter turn out to be the eigenphases of the scattering matrix for scattering off the perturbing potential V. They also have a purely statistical interpretation in terms of the moments of the level velocity distribution. Finally, on the basis of this analysis, a set of results obtained recently by the authors using random matrix theory methods is shown to be applicable to a much wider class of disordered and chaotic structures.