Remarks on the quasi-classical propagator of area-preserving maps (Q1197510)

Starting from the path-integral-like expression the quantum propagator in the configuration space for periodically delta-kicked systems, which generate the discrete-time area-preserving maps, is investigated in the quasi-classical limit. The appearance of Maslov-like phases is found. The simple recurrence relations for the contribution amplitudes are used to estimate the contributions of stable and unstable classical paths to the quasi-classical propagator within a harmonic approximation. The numerical results for a quartic kicking potential, the quasi-energy spectrum and the range of validity for the WKB-approximation are discussed.