Controlling Anderson localization of a Bose-Einstein condensate via spin-orbit coupling and Rabi fields in bichromatic lattices

Abstract

We perform theoretical studies of the interplay between disorder, spin-orbit coupling (SOC), and Rabi fields, and show that both SOC and Rabi fields can be used to dramatically control the degree of Anderson localization of a Bose-Einstein condensate in bichromatic lattices. We obtain ground-state phase diagrams in the SOC and Rabi field plane for different values of disorder strength and use realistic experimental parameters compatible with $^{39}\mathrm{K}$. We find cases of fixed disorder and SOC (Rabi field), where the Rabi field (SOC) reduces the threshold for localization and controls the localization length. We also show regimes of fixed disorder and Rabi field, where the extent of the ground-state wave function is periodic in the SOC, leading to alternating regions of stronger and weaker localization as SOC changes. Lastly, we describe examples of fixed disorder and SOC, where tuning the Rabi field leads to a strong localization peak.