Order, Chaos and Quasi Symmetries in a First-Order Quantum Phase Transition

We study the competing order and chaos in a first-order quantum phase transition with a high barrier. The boson model Hamiltonian employed, interpolates between its U(5) (spherical) and SU(3) (deformed) limits. A classical analysis reveals regular (chaotic) dynamics at low (higher) energy in the spherical region, coexisting with a robustly regular dynamics in the deformed region. A quantum analysis discloses, amidst a complicated environment, persisting regular multiplets of states associated with partial U(5) and quasi SU(3) dynamical symmetries.