Semiclassical theory for decay and fragmentation processes in chaotic quantum systems

Abstract

We consider quantum decay and photofragmentation processes in open chaotic systems in the semiclassical limit. We devise a semiclassical approach which allows us to consistently calculate quantum corrections to the classical decay to high order in an expansion in the inverse Heisenberg time. We present results for systems with and without time reversal symmetry and also for the symplectic case, as well as extending recent results to non-localized initial states. We further analyze related photodissociation and photoionization phenomena and semiclassically compute cross-section correlations, including their Ehrenfest time dependence.