Fractional h scaling for quantum kicked rotors without cantori

Abstract

Previous studies of quantum delta-kicked rotors have found momentum probability distributions with a typical width (localization length L) characterized by fractional h scaling; i.e., L similar to h(2/3) in regimes and phase-space regions close to "golden-ratio" cantori. In contrast, in typical chaotic regimes, the scaling is integer, L similar to h(-1). Here we consider a generic variant of the kicked rotor, the random-pair-kicked particle, obtained by randomizing the phases every second kick; it has no Kol'mogorov-Arnol'd-Moser mixed-phase-space structures, such as golden-ratio cantori, at all. Our unexpected finding is that, over comparable phase-space regions, it also has fractional scaling, but L similar to h(-2/3). A semiclassical analysis indicates that the h(2/3) scaling here is of quantum origin and is not a signature of classical cantori.