Theory of the Anderson Transition in the Quasiperiodic Kicked Rotor

Chushun Tian, Alexander Altland, and Markus Garst
Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 074101 – Published 9 August 2011

Abstract

We present the first microscopic theory of transport in quasiperiodically driven environments (“kicked rotors”), as realized in recent atom optic experiments. We find that the behavior of these systems depends sensitively on the value of a dimensionless Planck constant h˜: for irrational values of h˜/(4π) they fall into the universality class of disordered electronic systems and we describe the corresponding localization phenomena. In contrast, for rational values the rotor-Anderson insulator acquires an infinite (static) conductivity and turns into a “supermetal.” We discuss the ensuing possibility of a metal-supermetal quantum phase transition.

  • Figure
  • Received 17 January 2011

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.074101

© 2011 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Chushun Tian1,2, Alexander Altland1, and Markus Garst1

  • 1Institut für Theoretische Physik, Universität zu Köln, Köln, 50937, Germany
  • 2Institute for Advanced Study, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China

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Issue

Vol. 107, Iss. 7 — 12 August 2011

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