Hidden quantum-classical correspondence in chaotic billiards revealed by mutual information

TL;DR

This paper reveals that in chaotic quantum billiards, increased chaos leads to higher mutual information between position and momentum, indicating a quantum-classical correspondence through information-theoretic measures.

Contribution

It uncovers a novel quantum-classical correspondence in chaotic billiards by linking mutual information to classical phase space structures, challenging traditional views on eigenstate delocalization.

Findings

Mutual information increases with chaos in quantum billiards.

Spatial delocalization can coincide with higher mutual information.

Correlations persist beyond the semiclassical regime.

Abstract

Avoided level crossings, commonly associated with quantum chaos, are typically interpreted as signatures of eigenstate hybridization and spatial delocalization, often viewed as ergodic spreading. We show that, contrary to this expectation, increasing chaos in quantum billiards enhances mutual information between conjugate phase space variables, revealing nontrivial correlations. Using an information-theoretic decomposition of eigenstate entropy, we demonstrate that spatial delocalization may coincide with increased mutual information between position and momentum. These correlations track classical invariant structures in phase space and persist beyond the semiclassical regime, suggesting a robust information-theoretic manifestation of quantum-classical correspondence.