Condensed Matter Physics Seminar

Friday, May 14, 1999, 2 p.m.
Plant Sciences Building, Room 1130

Solution of the Hofstadter problem: Complex spectra of integrable systems

Paul Wiegmann

(University of Chicago)

Abstract: I review a recent progress towards solution of the so called almost Mathieu equation, known also as Harper's equation or Azbel-Hofstadter problem. The spectrum of this equation is known to be a pure singular continuum with a rich hierarchical structure. Few years ago it has been found that the almost Mathieu operator is integrable. An asymptotic solution of this operator became possible due analysis the Bethe Ansatz equations.

Host: Victor Yakovenko

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