Localization of Quantum States and Landscape Functions

TL;DR

This paper investigates the properties of landscape functions related to quantum state localization, providing new estimates and connections to eigenfunction decay in inhomogeneous media.

Contribution

It introduces a localized variation estimate for eigenfunctions using Brownian motion, clarifying the relationship between landscape functions and eigenfunction decay.

Findings

Variation estimate guarantees eigenfunction change within small regions.

Landscape function $u$ controls eigenfunction localization.

Connection between $1/u$ and decay properties of eigenfunctions.

Abstract

Eigenfunctions in inhomogeneous media can have strong localization properties. Filoche \& Mayboroda showed that the function $u$ solving $(-\Delta + V)u = 1$ controls the behavior of eigenfunctions $(-\Delta + V)\phi = \lambda\phi$ via the inequality $$|\phi(x)| \leq \lambda u(x) \|\phi\|_{L^{\infty}}.$$ This inequality has proven to be remarkably effective in predicting localization and recently Arnold, David, Jerison, Mayboroda \& Filoche connected $1/u$ to decay properties of eigenfunctions. We aim to clarify properties of the landscape: the main ingredient is a localized variation estimate obtained from writing $\phi(x)$ as an average over Brownian motion $\omega(\cdot)$ in started in $x$ $$\phi(x) = \mathbb{E}_{x}\left(\phi(\omega(t)) e^{\lambda t-\int_{0}^{t}{V(\omega(z))dz}} \right).$$ This variation estimate will guarantee that $\phi$ has to change at least by a factor of 2 in a small ball, which implicitly creates a landscape whose relationship with $1/u$ we discuss.