Quantum catastrophes from an algebraic perspective

Abstract

Abstract We study the properties of quantum cusp and butterfly catastrophes from an algebraic viewpoint. The analysis employs an interacting boson model Hamiltonian describing quantum phase transitions between specific quadrupole shapes by interpolating between two incompatible dynamical symmetry limits. The classical properties are determined by using coherent states to construct the complete phase diagrams associated with Landau potentials exhibiting such catastrophes. The quantum properties are determined by analyzing the spectra, transition rates and symmetry character of the eigenstates of critical Hamiltonians.