Quantum catastrophes from an algebraic perspective

TL;DR

This paper investigates quantum cusp and butterfly catastrophes using algebraic methods, analyzing phase transitions, spectra, and symmetries within an interacting boson model framework.

Contribution

It introduces an algebraic approach to study quantum catastrophes and phase transitions in a bosonic system, linking classical and quantum properties.

Findings

Phase diagrams reveal classical catastrophes in quantum systems.

Spectral analysis shows characteristic signatures of quantum phase transitions.

Symmetry analysis identifies critical eigenstates associated with catastrophes.

Abstract

We study the properties of quantum cusp and butterfly catastrophes from an algebraic viewpoint. The analysis employs an interacting boson model Hamiltonian describing quantum phase transitions between specific quadrupole shapes by interpolating between two incompatible dynamical symmetry limits. The classical properties are determined by using coherent states to construct the complete phase diagrams associated with Landau potentials exhibiting such catastrophes.The quantum properties are determined by analyzing the spectra, transition rates and symmetry character of the eigenstates of critical Hamiltonians.