Non-Hermiticity in a kicked model: decoherence and the semiclassical limit

Area of Science:

• Quantum chaos and localization phenomena
• Theoretical physics and quantum mechanics
• Non-Hermitian quantum systems

Background:

• Quantum systems can exhibit localization transitions, a phenomenon where wave functions become spatially confined.
• Non-Hermitian perturbations are often introduced to study open quantum systems and their dynamics.
• Understanding the interplay between quantum and classical descriptions is crucial for complex systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of non-Hermitian perturbations on a quantum kicked model.
• To analyze the critical line of the localization transition under these perturbations.
• To explore the connection between quantum-classical correspondence and decoherence.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an exact renormalization scheme for theoretical analysis.
• Studied a quantum kicked model with varying non-Hermitian parameters.
• Compared quantum results with semiclassical predictions.

Main Results:

• The critical line for the localization transition approaches the semiclassical limit as the imaginary part of the kicking parameter increases.
• Metastability of quantum states correlates directly with deviations between semiclassical and quantum results.
• Provided direct evidence for quantum-classical correspondence in this model.

Conclusions:

• Non-Hermitian perturbations can drive a quantum kicked model towards its semiclassical behavior.
• The observed quantum-classical correspondence suggests a potential method for modeling decoherence.
• Non-Hermitian Hamiltonians may serve as a valuable tool for simulating decoherence effects.