Wave packet dynamics of two extended Harper models

Abstract

We study the wave packet dynamics of two extended Harper models by using the second moment M2(t) and probability distribution Wn(t) numerically. The dynamical behaviors of two extended Harper models in all phases, on all phase boundary lines, and at the bicritical points are studied. For the first extended Harper model, we find that the wave packet is of ballistic diffusion in two metal phases, localized in the insulator phase, and of anomalous diffusion on the phase boundary lines and at the bicritical point. We also find the dynamical behavior on the boundary line of the metal-metal phase transition is the same as that on the metal-insulator phase transition. The spreading at the bicritical point is different from that on the phase boundary lines. For the second extended Harper model, we find that the wave packet is of ballistic diffusion in the metal phase, localized in the insulator phase, and of anomalous diffusion in the critical phase, on the phase boundary lines, and at the bicritical point. We also find the dynamical behavior on the boundary line of the critical-metal phase transition is similar to that at the bicritical point and the critical-insulator phase transition, but different from that of the metal-insulator phase transition.