Single-Particle Mobility Edge in a One-Dimensional Quasiperiodic Optical Lattice

Henrik P. Lüschen, Sebastian Scherg, Thomas Kohlert, Michael Schreiber, Pranjal Bordia, Xiao Li, S. Das Sarma, and Immanuel Bloch
Phys. Rev. Lett. 120, 160404 – Published 19 April 2018
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Abstract

A single-particle mobility edge (SPME) marks a critical energy separating extended from localized states in a quantum system. In one-dimensional systems with uncorrelated disorder, a SPME cannot exist, since all single-particle states localize for arbitrarily weak disorder strengths. However, in a quasiperiodic system, the localization transition can occur at a finite detuning strength and SPMEs become possible. In this Letter, we find experimental evidence for the existence of such a SPME in a one-dimensional quasiperiodic optical lattice. Specifically, we find a regime where extended and localized single-particle states coexist, in good agreement with theoretical simulations, which predict a SPME in this regime.

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  • Received 15 September 2017

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.120.160404

© 2018 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Atomic, Molecular & OpticalCondensed Matter, Materials & Applied Physics

Authors & Affiliations

Henrik P. Lüschen1,2, Sebastian Scherg1,2, Thomas Kohlert1,2, Michael Schreiber1,2, Pranjal Bordia1,2, Xiao Li3, S. Das Sarma3, and Immanuel Bloch1,2,*

  • 1Fakultät für Physik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Schellingstraße 4, 80799 Munich, Germany
  • 2Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, Hans-Kopfermann-Straße 1, 85748 Garching, Germany
  • 3Condensed Matter Theory Center and Joint Quantum Institute, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742-4111, USA

  • *Corresponding author. immanuel.bloch@mpq.mpg.de

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Vol. 120, Iss. 16 — 20 April 2018

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