Strong Anderson Localization in Cold Atom Quantum Quenches

T. Micklitz, C. A. Müller, and A. Altland
Phys. Rev. Lett. 112, 110602 – Published 18 March 2014

Abstract

Signatures of Anderson localization in the momentum distribution of a cold atom cloud after a quantum quench are studied. We consider a quasi-one-dimensional cloud initially prepared in a well-defined momentum state, and expanding for some time in a disorder speckle potential. Quantum interference generates a peak in the forward scattering amplitude which, unlike the common weak localization backscattering peak, is a signature of strong Anderson localization. We present a nonperturbative, and fully time resolved description of the phenomenon, covering the entire diffusion-to-localization crossover. Our results should be observable by present day experiments.

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  • Received 10 November 2013

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.112.110602

© 2014 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

T. Micklitz1, C. A. Müller2,3, and A. Altland4

  • 1Centro Brasileiro de Pesquisas Físicas, Rua Xavier Sigaud 150, 22290-180, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • 2Fachbereich Physik, Universität Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
  • 3Centre for Quantum Technologies, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore
  • 4Institut für Theoretische Physik, Universität zu Köln, Zülpicher Strasse 77, 50937 Cologne, Germany

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Issue

Vol. 112, Iss. 11 — 21 March 2014

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