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BGS conjecture

The Bohigas–Giannoni–Schmit (BGS) conjecture also known as the random matrix conjecture) for simple quantum mechanical systems (ergodic with a classical limit) few degrees of freedom holds that spectra of time reversal-invariant systems whose classical analogues are K-systems show the same fluctuation properties as predicted by the GOE (Gaussian orthogonal ensembles).

Alternatively, the spectral fluctuation measures of a classically chaotic quantum system coincide with those of the canonical random-matrix ensemble in the same symmetry class (unitary, orthogonal, or symplectic).

That is, the Hamiltonian of a microscopic analogue of a classical chaotic system can be modeled by a random matrix from a Gaussian ensemble as the distance of a few spacings between eigenvalues of a chaotic Hamiltonian operator generically statistically correlates with the spacing laws for eigenvalues of large random matrices.

A simple example of the unfolded quantum energy levels in a classically chaotic system correlating like that would be Sinai billiards:

  • Energy levels:
  • Spectral density:
  • Average spectral density:
  • Correlation:
  • Unfolding:
  • Unfolded correlation:
  • BGS conjecture:

The conjecture remains unproven despite supporting numerical evidence.

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