Singular spectrum in physics

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In general, the spectrum of self-adjoint operators in a Hilbert space decomposes into a discrete, an absolutely continuous, and a singular spectrum. In nonrelativistic multiparticle scattering, the absence of the singular spectrum can be proved in the physically relevant situation.

Are there areas of physics where the singular spectrum is nontrivial? If yes, what is its physical interpretation?

edited Aug 28, 2016

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I would assume that the work of Barry Simon (known e.g. for Reed/Simon, Methods of Modern Mathematical Physics) is interesting for you.

Regarding his  "Singular Continuous Spectrum Revolution" see e.g. https://www.ma.utexas.edu/mp_arc/c/06/06-181.pdf.

A physically relevant problem is the almost Mathieu operator (cf. the pdf cited, page 11) which can be used (for appropriate parameters) to model the Quantum Hall effect and one-dimensional quasiperiodic chains.

Physical results can be anomalous diffusion properties (exponents connected to generalizes dimensions of the spectrum), see e.g. https://arxiv.org/pdf/cond-mat/9811323.pdf.

Here is another paper showing that (in a certain, well defined sense) singular continuous spectra are generic: https://arxiv.org/abs/math/9410217.

answered Dec 3, 2016 by (90 points)
edited Dec 3, 2016

Excellent! Before seeing your answer I indeed had the impression that (as in the treatise by Reed & Simon) the singual spectrum was an anomaly - just the setting that Yoram Last (your first link) contrasts with the interesting developments since this treatise was written.

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