Regularity and chaos at critical points of first-order quantum phase transitions

Abstract

We study the interplay between regular and chaotic dynamics at the critical point of a generic first-order quantum phase transition in an interacting boson model of nuclei. A classical analysis reveals a distinct behavior of the coexisting phases in a broad energy range. The dynamics is completely regular in the deformed phase and, simultaneously, strongly chaotic in the spherical phase. A quantum analysis of the spectra separates the regular states from the irregular ones, assigns them to particular phases, and discloses persisting regular rotational bands in the deformed region.