Coherent propagation of interacting particles in a random potential: The mechanism of enhancement

Abstract

Coherent propagation of two interacting particles in a one-dimensional weak random potential is considered. An accurate estimate of the matrix element of the interaction in the basis of localized states leads to a mapping onto the relevant matrix model. This mapping allows one to clarify the mechanism of enhancement of the localization length, which turns out to be rather different from the one considered in the literature. Although the existence of enhancement is transparent, an analytical solution of the matrix model was found only for very short samples. For a more realistic situation numerical simulations were performed. The result of these simulations is consistent with ${l}_{2}{/l}_{1}\ensuremath{\sim}{l}_{1}^{\ensuremath{\gamma}},$ where ${l}_{1}$ and ${l}_{2}$ are the one- and two-particle localization lengths and the exponent $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ depends on the strength of the interaction. In particular, in the limit of a strong particle-particle interaction there is no enhancement of the coherent propagation at all ${(l}_{2}\ensuremath{\approx}{l}_{1})$.