Excited-state quantum phase transitions (ESQPTs) are critical phenomena that generate singularities in the spectrum of quantum systems. For systems with a classical counterpart, these phenomena have their origin in the classical limit when the separatrix of an unstable periodic orbit divides phase space into different regions. Using a semiclassical theory of wave propagation based on the manifolds of unstable periodic orbits, we describe the quantum states associated with an ESQPT for the quantum standard map: a paradigmatic example of a kicked quantum system. Moreover, we show that finite-size precursors of ESQPTs shrink as chaos increases due to the disturbance of the system. This phenomenon is explained through destructive interference between principal homoclinic orbits.

Close

PrevNext

View figure in article

• Quantum chaos