Quantum Resonances and Decay of a Chaotic Fractal Repeller Observed Using Microwaves

Abstract

The quantum resonances of classically chaotic $n$-disk geometries were studied experimentally utilizing thin 2D microwave geometries. The experiments yield the frequencies and widths of low-lying resonances, which are compared with semiclassical calculations. The long time or small energy behavior of the wave-vector autocorrelation gives information about the quantum decay rate, which is in good agreement with that obtained from classical scattering theory. The intermediate energy behavior shows nonuniversal oscillations determined by periodic orbits.