Experimental simulation of quantum graphs by microwave networks

We present the results of experimental and theoretical study of irregular, tetrahedral microwave networks consisting of coaxial cables (annular waveguides) connected by T joints. The spectra of the networks were measured in the frequency range 0.0001-16 GHz in order to obtain their statistical properties such as the integrated nearest neighbor spacing distribution and the spectral rigidity Delta(3)(L). The comparison of our experimental and theoretical results shows that microwave networks can simulate quantum graphs with time reversal symmetry. In particular, we use the spectra of the microwave networks to study the periodic orbits of the simulated quantum graphs. We also present experimental study of directional microwave networks consisting of coaxial cables and Faraday isolators for which the time reversal symmetry is broken. In this case our experimental results indicate that spectral statistics of directional microwave networks deviate from predictions of Gaussian orthogonal ensembles in random matrix theory approaching, especially for small eigenfrequency spacing s, results for Gaussian unitary ensembles. Experimental results are supported by the theoretical analysis of directional graphs.