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

Luschen, Henrik P., Scherg, Sebastian, Kohlert, Thomas, Schreiber, Michael, Bordia, Pranjal, Li, Xiao, Das Sarma, S. and Bloch, Immanuel (2018): Single-Particle Mobility Edge in a One-Dimensional Quasiperiodic Optical Lattice. In: Physical Review Letters, Vol. 120, No. 16, 160404

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.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Faculties: Physics
• Subjects: 500 Science > 530 Physics
• ISSN: 0031-9007
• Language: English