Quantum decay into a non-flat continuum

TL;DR

This paper investigates how quantum states decay into non-flat continua, revealing diverse decay behaviors and a universal timescale, contrasting with the exponential decay in flat continua.

Contribution

It characterizes decay dynamics into non-flat continua, identifying universal timescales and highlighting differences from flat continuum decay.

Findings

Survival probability can decay as stretched-exponential or power-law.

A universal characteristic time $t_0$ exists, independent of decay form.

Exponential decay is only robust in flat continua.

Abstract

We study the decay of a prepared state into non-flat continuum. We find that the survival probability $P(t)$ might exhibit either stretched-exponential or power-law decay, depending on non-universal features of the model. Still there is a universal characteristic time $t_0$ that does not depend on the functional form. It is only for a flat continuum that we get a robust exponential decay that is insensitive to the nature of the intra-continuum couplings. The analysis highlights the co-existence of perturbative and non-perturbative features in the local density of states, and the non-linear dependence of $1/t_0$ on the strength of the coupling.