Coherent Backscattering Reveals the Anderson Transition

Area of Science:

• Condensed matter physics
• Atomic physics
• Wave propagation in disordered media

Background:

• Anderson localization describes the suppression of wave transport in disordered systems.
• Coherent backscattering (CBS) is a wave phenomenon sensitive to localization effects.
• Characterizing the Anderson transition is crucial for understanding electron and wave transport in disordered materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a finite-time scaling analysis for the angular width of the coherent backscattering (CBS) peak.
• To apply this analysis to ultracold atoms in optical speckle potentials to study the 3D Anderson transition.
• To demonstrate a method for determining the mobility edge and critical exponent of the Anderson transition.

Main Methods:

• Finite-time scaling analysis of the CBS peak's angular width.
• Experimental realization using ultracold atoms in 3D optical speckle potentials.
• Analysis of the temporal behavior of the CBS width to extract transition parameters.

Main Results:

• An accurate finite-time scaling analysis of the CBS peak angular width was developed.
• The method successfully relates the temporal CBS width to the Anderson transition parameters.
• The mobility edge and critical exponent can be determined from the CBS width's temporal evolution.

Conclusions:

• The developed finite-time scaling analysis provides an accurate method to study the 3D Anderson transition.
• This technique, applied to ultracold atoms, allows for precise determination of critical exponents and mobility edges.
• The method offers a powerful experimental tool for fully characterizing Anderson transitions in disordered systems.