Speaker: Sachindeo Vaidya, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
Title: Order and Chaos in the SU(2) gauge matrix model
Abstract: We show that the Hamiltonian of the SU(2) matrix model possesses a hidden tetrahedral symmetry, allowing the identification of the spin-0 colour-0 sector as a three-dimensional Henon-Heiles Hamiltonian. A study of the classical dynamics reveals the existence of both regular and chaotic orbits. We focus on two classes of orbits whose initial conditions are characterized by certain subgroups of the tetrahedral group. These orbit types display unusual ergodicity properties: they exhibit a band-like structure as a function of energy, with the dynamics alternating between regular and chaotic. They also display ergodicity breaking, suggesting a connection to quantum phases that arise from superselection sectors.