We study the non-integrable Dicke model, and its integrable approximation, the Tavis-Cummings model, as functions of both the coupling constant and the excitation energy. Excited-state quantum phase transitions (ESQPT) are found analyzing the density
of states in the semi-classical limit and comparing it with numerical results for the quantum case in large Hilbert spaces, taking advantage of efficient methods recently developed. Two different ESQPTs are identified in both models, which are signaled as singularities in the semi-classical density of states, one {em static} ESQPT occurs for any coupling, whereas a dynamic ESQPT is observed only in the superradiant phase. The role of the unstable fixed points of the Hamiltonian semi-classical flux in the occurrence of the ESQPTs is discussed and determined. Numerical evidence is provided that shows that the semi-classical result describes very well the tendency of the quantum energy spectrum for any coupling in both models. Therefore the semi-classical density of states can be used to study the statistical properties of the fluctuation in the spectra, a study that is presented in a companion paper.
Two-level atoms interacting with a one mode cavity field at zero temperature have order parameters which reflect the presence of a quantum phase transition at a critical value of the atom-cavity coupling strength. Two popular examples are the number
of photons inside the cavity and the number of excited atoms. Coherent states provide a mean field description, which becomes exact in the thermodynamic limit. Employing symmetry adapted (SA) SU(2) coherent states (SACS) the critical behavior can be described for a finite number of atoms. A variation after projection treatment, involving a numerical minimization of the SA energy surface, associates the finite number phase transition with a discontinuity in the order parameters, which originates from a competition between two local minima in the SA energy surface.
