Current and vortex statistics in microwave billiards

Abstract

Using the one-to-one correspondence between the Poynting vector in a microwave billiard and the probability current density in the corresponding quantum system probability densities and currents were studied in a microwave billiard with a ferrite insert as well as in an open billiard. Distribution functions were obtained for probability densities, currents and vorticities. In addition the vortex pair correlation function could be extracted. For all studied quantities a complete agreement with the predictions from the random-superposition-of-plane-waves approach was obtained.