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Single-Particle Mobility Edge in a One-Dimensional Quasiperiodic Optical Lattice
Henrik P Lüschen1,2, Sebastian Scherg1,2, Thomas Kohlert1,2
1Fakultät für Physik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Schellingstraße 4, 80799 Munich, Germany.
Physical Review Letters
|May 15, 2018
Summary
Researchers found experimental evidence for a single-particle mobility edge (SPME) in a quasiperiodic optical lattice. This critical energy separates extended and localized states, a phenomenon not seen in disordered 1D systems.
Area of Science:
- Quantum physics
- Condensed matter physics
- Disordered systems
Background:
- A single-particle mobility edge (SPME) is a key concept in quantum mechanics, defining the energy threshold between extended and localized particle states.
- In one-dimensional (1D) systems with random disorder, all single-particle states are known to localize, preventing the existence of an SPME.
- Quasiperiodic systems, however, offer a unique environment where localization transitions can occur at finite disorder strengths, potentially allowing for SPMEs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally investigate the existence of a single-particle mobility edge (SPME) in a 1D quasiperiodic optical lattice.
- To determine if a regime exists where both extended and localized single-particle states can coexist within the quasiperiodic system.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a one-dimensional quasiperiodic optical lattice to create a controlled quantum system.
- Performed experiments to probe the behavior of single-particle states within the lattice.
- Compared experimental findings with theoretical simulations predicting SPME phenomena.
Main Results:
- Experimental evidence was found supporting the existence of a single-particle mobility edge (SPME) in the studied 1D quasiperiodic optical lattice.
- A specific regime was identified where extended and localized single-particle states were observed to coexist.
- Experimental results showed good agreement with theoretical predictions for SPME in quasiperiodic systems.
Conclusions:
- The study provides the first experimental confirmation of a single-particle mobility edge in a 1D quasiperiodic optical lattice.
- The findings demonstrate that quasiperiodic potentials can facilitate the coexistence of extended and localized states, challenging previous localization paradigms.
- This work opens new avenues for exploring quantum transport and localization phenomena in engineered quasiperiodic systems.
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