Characterizing the mixed eigenstates in kicked top model through the out-of-time-order correlator.

Abstract

Generic systems are associated with a mixed classical phase space. The question of the properties of the eigenstates for these systems remains less known, although it plays a key role for understanding several important quantum phenomena such as thermalization, scarring, tunneling, and (de-)localization. In this work, by employing the kicked top model, we perform a detailed investigation of the dynamical signatures of the mixed eigenstates via the out-of-time-order correlator (OTOC). We show how the types of eigenstates get reflected in the short- and long-time behaviors of the OTOC and conjecture that the dynamics of the OTOC can be used as an indicator of the mixed eigenstates. Our findings further confirm the usefulness of the OTOC for studying quantum complex systems and also provide more insights into the characteristics of the mixed eigenstates.