Speckle Potentials Research Articles

Three-Dimensional Anderson Localization in Variable Scale Disorder

We report on the impact of variable-scale disorder on 3D Anderson localization of a noninteracting ultracold atomic gas. A spin-polarized gas of fermionic atoms is localized by allowing it to expand in an optical speckle potential. Using a sudden quench of the localized density distribution, we verify that the density profile is representative of the underlying single-particle localized states. The geometric mean of the disordering potential correlation lengths is varied by a factor of 4 via adjusting the aperture of the speckle focusing lens. We observe that the root-mean-square size of the localized gas increases approximately linearly with the speckle correlation length, in qualitative agreement with the scaling predicted by weak scattering theory.

Quantum transport of atomic matter waves in anisotropic two-dimensional and three-dimensional disorder

The macroscopic transport properties in a disordered potential, namely diffusion and weak/strong localization, closely depend on the microscopic and statistical properties of the disorder itself. This dependence is rich in counter-intuitive consequences. It can be particularly exploited in matter wave experiments, where the disordered potential can be tailored and controlled, and anisotropies are naturally present. In this work, we apply a perturbative microscopic transport theory and the self-consistent theory of Anderson localization to study the transport properties of ultracold atoms in anisotropic two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) speckle potentials. In particular, we discuss the anisotropy of single-scattering, diffusion and localization. We also calculate disorder-induced shift of the energy states and propose a method to include it, which amounts to renormalizing energies in the standard on-shell approximation. We show that the renormalization of energies strongly affects the prediction for the 3D localization threshold (mobility edge). We illustrate the theoretical findings with examples which are relevant for current matter wave experiments, where the disorder is created with laser speckle. This paper provides a guideline for future experiments aiming at the precise location of the 3D mobility edge and study of anisotropic diffusion and localization effects in 2D and 3D.

Tailoring Anderson localization by disorder correlations in 1D speckle potentials

We study Anderson localization of single particles in continuous, correlated, one-dimensional disordered potentials. We show that tailored correlations can completely change the energy-dependence of the localization length. By considering two suitable models of disorder, we explicitly show that disorder correlations can lead to a nonmonotonic behavior of the localization length versus energy. Numerical calculations performed within the transfer-matrix approach and analytical calculations performed within the phase formalism up to order three show excellent agreement and demonstrate the effect. We finally show how the nonmonotonic behavior of the localization length with energy can be observed using expanding ultracold-atom gases.

Bose-Einstein condensate in weak 3d isotropic speckle disorder

The effect of a weak three-dimensional (3d) isotropic laser speckle disorder on various thermodynamic properties of a dilute Bose gas is considered at zero temperature. First, we summarize the derivation of the autocorrelation function of laser speckles in 1d and 2d following the seminal work of Goodman. The goal of this discussion is to show that a Gaussian approximation of this function, proposed in some recent papers, is inconsistent with the general background of laser speckle theory. Then we propose a possible experimental realization for an isotropic 3d laser speckle potential and derive its corresponding autocorrelation function. Using a Fourier transform of that function, we calculate both condensate depletion and sound velocity of a Bose-Einstein condensate as disorder ensemble averages of such a weak laser speckle potential within a perturbative solution of the Gross-Pitaevskii equation. By doing so, we reproduce the expression of the normalfluid density obtained earlier within the treatment of Landau. This physically transparent derivation shows that condensate particles, which are scattered by disorder, form a gas of quasiparticles which is responsible for the normalfluid component.

Subdiffusive spreading of a Bose-Einstein condensate in random potentials

We study numerically the long-time dynamics of a one-dimensional Bose-Einstein condensate expanding in a speckle or impurity disorder potential. Using the mean-field Gross-Pitaevskii equation, we demonstrate subdiffusive spreading of the condensate for long times. We find that interaction-assisted hopping between normal modes leads to this subdiffusion. A possible (partial) reason why the root-mean-square (rms) width saturates in the experiment [Nature (London) 453, 891 (2008)] is provided. We suggest that observing both the participation length and the rms width of a condensate, rather than only the rms width, could provide a more complete description of the long-time behavior of ultracold atoms in disorder potentials. Our study confirms subdiffusive spreading in spatially continuous disordered interacting models and highlights new features which spatially discrete models do not possess.

Localization of a non interacting quantum wave packet in one-dimensional disordered potentials

We show that the tails of the asymptotic density distribution of a quantum wave packet that localizes in the the presence of random or quasiperiodic disorder can be described by the diagonal term of the projection over the eingenstates of the disordered potential. This is equivalent of assuming a phase randomization of the off-diagonal/interference terms. We demonstrate these results through numerical calculations of the dynamics of ultracold atoms in the one-dimensional speckle and quasiperiodic potentials used in the recent experiments that lead to the observation of Anderson localization for matter waves [Billy et al., Nature 453, 891 (2008); Roati et al., Nature 453, 895 (2008)]. For the quasiperiodic case, we also discuss the implications of using continuos or discrete models.

Classically induced suppression of energy growth in a chaotic quantum system

Recent experiments with Bose–Einstein condensates (BEC) in traps and speckle potentials have explored the dynamical regime in which the evolving BEC clouds localize due to the influence of classical dynamics. The growth of their mean energy is effectively arrested. This is in contrast with the well-known localization phenomena that originate due to quantum interferences. We show that classically induced localization can also be obtained in a classically chaotic, non-interacting system. In this work, we study the classical and quantum dynamics of non-interacting particles in a double-barrier structure. This is essentially a non-KAM system and, depending on the parameters, can display chaotic dynamics inside the finite well between the barriers. However, for the same set of parameters, it can display nearly regular dynamics above the barriers. We exploit this combination of two qualitatively different classical dynamical features to obtain saturation of energy growth. In the semiclassical regime, this classical mechanism strongly influences the quantum behaviour of the system.

Regimes of classical transport of cold gases in a two-dimensional anisotropic disorder

We numerically study the dynamics of cold atoms in a two-dimensional disordered potential. We consider an anisotropic speckle potential and focus on the classical dynamics, which is relevant to some recent experiments. Firstly, we study the behavior of particles with a fixed energy and identify different transport regimes. At low energy, the particles are classically localized due to the absence of a percolating cluster. At high energy, the particles undergo normal diffusion, and we show that the diffusion coefficients scale algebraically with the particle energy, with an anisotropy factor that is significantly different from that of the disordered potential. At intermediate energy, we find a transient sub-diffusive regime, which is relevant to the time scale of typical experiments. Secondly, we study the behavior of a cold atomic gas with an arbitrary energy distribution, using the above results as the groundwork. We show that the density profile of the atomic cloud in the diffusion regime is strongly peaked and, in particular, that it is not Gaussian. Its behavior at large distances allows us to extract the energy-dependent diffusion coefficients from experimental density distributions. For a thermal cloud released into the disordered potential, we show that our numerical predictions are in agreement with experimental findings. Not only does this paper give insights into recent experimental results, but it may also help in the interpretation of future experiments searching for deviation from classical diffusion and traces of Anderson localization.

Density of states in an optical speckle potential

We study the single particle density of states of a one-dimensional speckle potential, which is correlated and non-Gaussian. We consider both the repulsive and the attractive cases. The system is controlled by a single dimensionless parameter determined by the mass of the particle, the correlation length and the average intensity of the field. Depending on the value of this parameter, the system exhibits different regimes, characterized by the localization properties of the eigenfunctions. We calculate the corresponding density of states using the statistical properties of the speckle potential. We find good agreement with the results of numerical simulations.

Matter-wave localization in a random potential

By numerical and variational solution of the Gross-Pitaevskii equation, we studied the localization of a noninteracting and weakly-interacting Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) in a disordered cold atom lattice and a speckle potential. In the case of a single BEC fragment, the variational analysis produced good results. For a weakly disordered potential, the localized BECs are found to have an exponential tail as in weak Anderson localization. We also investigated the expansion of a noninteracting BEC in these potential. We find that the BEC will be locked in an appropriate localized state after an initial expansion and will execute breathing oscillation around a mean shape when a BEC at equilibrium in a harmonic trap is suddenly released into a disorder potential.

Diffusion of cold-atomic gases in the presence of an optical speckle potential

We consider diffusion of a cold Fermi gas in the presence of a random optical speckle potential. The evolution of the initial atomic cloud in space and time is discussed. Analytical and numerical results are presented in various regimes. Diffusion of a Bose-Einstein condensate is also briefly discussed and similarity with the Fermi gas case is pointed out.

Anderson localization of matter waves

We study numerically the conductance distribution function w(T) for the one-dimensional Anderson model with random long-range hopping described by the Power-law Banded Random Matrix model at criticality. We concentrate on the case of two single-channel leads attached to the system. We observe a smooth transition from localized to delocalized behavior in the conductance distribution by increasing b, the effective bandwidth of the model. Also, for b < 1 we show that w(ln T/Ttyp) is scale invariant, where Ttyp = exp 〈 ln T 〉 is the typical value of T. Moreover, we find that for T < Ttyp, w(ln T/Ttyp) shows a universal behavior proportional to (T/Ttyp)-1/2.

Speed of sound in disordered Bose-Einstein condensates

Disorder modifies the sound-wave excitation spectrum of Bose-Einstein condensates. We consider the classical hydrodynamic limit, where the disorder correlation length is much longer than the condensate healing length. By perturbation theory, we compute the phonon lifetime and the correction to the speed of sound. This correction is found to be negative in all dimensions, with universal asymptotics for smooth correlations. Considering in detail optical speckle potentials, we find a quite rich intermediate structure. This has consequences for the average density of states, particularly in one dimension, where we find a ``boson dip'' next to a sharp ``boson peak'' as function of frequency. In one dimension, our prediction is verified in detail by a numerical integration of the Gross-Pitaevskii equation.

Anomalous suppression of the Bose glass at commensurate fillings in the disordered Bose-Hubbard model

We study the weakly disordered Bose-Hubbard model on a cubic lattice through a one-loop renormalization-group analysis of the corresponding effective-field theory which is explicitly derived by combining a strong-coupling expansion with a replica average over the disorder. The method is applied not only to generic uncorrelated on-site disorder but also to simultaneous hopping-disorder correlated with the differences of adjacent disorder potentials. Such correlations are inherent in fine-grained optical speckle potentials used as a source of disorder in optical lattice experiments. As a result of strong coupling, the strength of the replica-mixing disorder vertex, responsible for the emergence of a Bose glass, crucially depends on the chemical potential and the Hubbard repulsion and vanishes to leading order in the disorder at commensurate boson fillings. As a consequence, at such fillings a direct transition between the Mott insulator and the superfluid in the presence of disorder cannot be excluded on the basis of a one-loop calculation. At incommensurate fillings, at a certain length scale, the Mott insulator will eventually become unstable toward the formation of a Bose glass. Phase diagrams as a function of the microscopic parameters are presented and the finite-size crossover between the Mott-insulating state and the Bose glass is analyzed.

One-dimensional Anderson localization in certain correlated random potentials

We study Anderson localization of ultracold atoms in weak, one-dimensional speckle potentials, using perturbation theory beyond Born approximation. We show the existence of a series of sharp crossovers (effective mobility edges) between energy regions where localization lengths differ by orders of magnitude. We also point out that the correction to the Born term explicitly depends on the sign of the potential. Our results are in agreement with numerical calculations in a regime relevant for experiments. Finally, we analyze our findings in the light of a diagrammatic approach.

Lyapunov exponent for the laser speckle potential: A weak disorder expansion

Anderson localization of matter waves was recently observed with cold atoms in a weak one-dimensional disorder realized with laser speckle potential [Billy et al., Nature (London) 453, 891 (2008)]. The latter is special in that it does not have spatial frequency components above certain cutoff ${q}_{c}$. As a result, the Lyapunov exponent (LE) or inverse localization length vanishes in Born approximation for particle wave vector $kg\frac{1}{2}{q}_{c}$, and higher orders become essential. These terms, up to the fourth order, are calculated analytically and compared with numerical simulations. For very weak disorder, LE exhibits a sharp drop at $k=\frac{1}{2}{q}_{c}$. For moderate disorder (a) the drop is less dramatic than expected from the fourth-order approximation and (b) LE becomes very sensitive to the sign of the disorder skewness (which can be controlled in cold atom experiments). Both observations are related to the strongly non-Gaussian character of the speckle intensity.

Quantum diffusion of matter waves in 2D speckle potentials

This paper investigates quantum diffusion of matter waves in two-dimensional random potentials, focussing on expanding Bose-Einstein condensates in spatially correlated optical speckle potentials. Special care is taken to describe the effect of dephasing, finite system size, and an initial momentum distribution. We derive general expressions for the interference-renormalized diffusion constant, the disorder-averaged probability density distribution, the variance of the expanding atomic cloud, and the localized fraction of atoms. These quantities are studied in detail for the special case of an inverted-parabola momentum distribution as obtained from an expanding condensate in the Thomas-Fermi regime. Lastly, we derive quantitative criteria for the unambiguous observation of localization effects in a possible 2D experiment.

Quantum lattice Boltzmann simulation of expanding Bose-Einstein condensates in random potentials

The phenomenon of Anderson localization in expanding one-dimensional Bose-Einstein condensates is investigated by numerically solving the Gross-Pitaevskii equation with a random speckle potential. To this purpose, a quantum lattice Boltzmann (QLB) method is used, and compared with a standard Crank-Nicolson scheme. The QLB simulations show evidence of Anderson localization even for relatively low-energy condensates, with a healing length as large as one-tenth of the Thomas-Fermi length. Moreover, very long-time simulations, lasting up to 15 000 optical confinement periods, indicate that the Anderson localization degrades in time, although at a very slow pace. In particular, the inverse localization length is found to decay according to a t;{-1/3} law. This lends support to the idea that localized wave functions, although not strictly ground states, represent extremely long-lived metastable states of the expanding condensate.

Direct observation of Anderson localization of matter waves in a controlled disorder

In 1958, Anderson predicted the localization of electronic wavefunctions in disordered crystals and the resulting absence of diffusion. It is now recognized that Anderson localization is ubiquitous in wave physics because it originates from the interference between multiple scattering paths. Experimentally, localization has been reported for light waves, microwaves, sound waves and electron gases. However, there has been no direct observation of exponential spatial localization of matter waves of any type. Here we observe exponential localization of a Bose-Einstein condensate released into a one-dimensional waveguide in the presence of a controlled disorder created by laser speckle. We operate in a regime of pure Anderson localization, that is, with weak disorder-such that localization results from many quantum reflections of low amplitude-and an atomic density low enough to render interactions negligible. We directly image the atomic density profiles as a function of time, and find that weak disorder can stop the expansion and lead to the formation of a stationary, exponentially localized wavefunction-a direct signature of Anderson localization. We extract the localization length by fitting the exponential wings of the profiles, and compare it to theoretical calculations. The power spectrum of the one-dimensional speckle potentials has a high spatial frequency cutoff, causing exponential localization to occur only when the de Broglie wavelengths of the atoms in the expanding condensate are greater than an effective mobility edge corresponding to that cutoff. In the opposite case, we find that the density profiles decay algebraically, as predicted in ref. 13. The method presented here can be extended to localization of atomic quantum gases in higher dimensions, and with controlled interactions.

Disorder-induced trapping versus Anderson localization in Bose–Einstein condensates expanding in disordered potentials

We theoretically investigate the localization of an expanding Bose–Einstein condensate (BEC) with repulsive atom–atom interactions in a disordered potential. We focus on the regime where the initial inter-atomic interactions dominate over the kinetic energy and the disorder. At equilibrium in a trapping potential and for the considered small disorder, the condensate shows a Thomas–Fermi shape modified by the disorder. When the condensate is released from the trap, a strong suppression of the expansion is obtained in contrast to the situation in a periodic potential with similar characteristics. This effect crucially depends on both the momentum distribution of the expanding BEC and the strength of the disorder. For strong disorder as in the experiments reported by Clément et al 2005 Phys. Rev. Lett. 95 170409 and Fort et al 2005 Phys. Rev. Lett. 95 170410, the suppression of the expansion results from the fragmentation of the core of the condensate and from classical reflections from large modulations of the disordered potential in the tails of the condensate. We identify the corresponding disorder-induced trapping scenario for which large atom–atom interactions and strong reflections from single modulations of the disordered potential play central roles. For weak disorder, the suppression of the expansion signals the onset of Anderson localization, which is due to multiple scattering from the modulations of the disordered potential. We compute analytically the localized density profile of the condensate and show that the localization crucially depends on the correlation function of the disorder. In particular, for speckle potentials the long-range correlations induce an effective mobility edge in 1D finite systems. Numerical calculations performed in the mean-field approximation support our analysis for both strong and weak disorder.