Acoustic Chaos

Abstract

We use high resolution acoustic spectroscopy as an analog system to quantum systems. We study transitions between regularity and chaos and specific symmetry breaking. We compare with the predictions of Random Matrix Theory that was developed for the study of the complicated compound nuclear states. The acoustic system is interesting in its own right. It is governed by a vectorial wave-equation in contrast to the scalar Schrödinger equation, and we study the complex interplay of different resonant modes arising from this fact.