Rectangular real $N times (N + u)$ matrices $W$ with a Gaussian distribution appear very frequently in data analysis, condensed matter physics and quantum field theory. A central question concerns the correlations encoded in the spectral statistics
of $WW^T$. The extreme eigenvalues of $W W^T$ are of particular interest. We explicitly compute the distribution and the gap probability of the smallest non-zero eigenvalue in this ensemble, both for arbitrary fixed $N$ and $ u$, and in the universal large $N$ limit with $ u$ fixed. We uncover an integrable Pfaffian structure valid for all even values of $ ugeq 0$. This extends previous results for odd $ u$ at infinite $N$ and recursive results for finite $N$ and for all $ u$. Our mathematical results include the computation of expectation values of half integer powers of characteristic polynomials.
We determine with unprecedented accuracy the lowest 900 eigenvalues of two quantum constant-width billiards from resonance spectra measured with flat, superconducting microwave resonators. While the classical dynamics of the constant-width billiards
is unidirectional, a change of the direction of motion is possible in the corresponding quantum system via dynamical tunneling. This becomes manifest in a splitting of the vast majority of resonances into doublets of nearly degenerate ones. The fluctuation properties of the two respective spectra are demonstrated to coincide with those of a random-matrix model for systems with violated time-reversal invariance and a mixed dynamics. Furthermore, we investigate tunneling in terms of the splittings of the doublet partners. On the basis of the random-matrix model we derive an analytical expression for the splitting distribution which is generally applicable to systems exhibiting dynamical tunneling between two regions with (predominantly) chaotic dynamics.
In a unifying way, the doorway mechanism explains spectral properties in a rich variety of open mesoscopic quantum systems, ranging from atoms to nuclei. A distinct state and a background of other states couple to each other which sensitively affects
the strength function. The recently measured superscars in the barrier billiard provide an ideal model for an in--depth investigation of this mechanism. We introduce two new statistical observables, the full distribution of the maximum coupling coefficient to the doorway and directed spatial correlators. Using Random Matrix Theory and random plane waves, we obtain a consistent understanding of the experimental data.
