Direct observation of Anderson localization of matter-waves in a controlled disorder
Juliette Billy, Vincent Josse, Zhanchun Zuo, Alain Bernard, Ben Hambrecht, Pierre Lugan, David Clément, Laurent Sanchez-Palencia, Philippe Bouyer, Alain Aspect
We report the observation of exponential localization of a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) released into a one-dimensional waveguide in the presence of a controlled disorder created by laser speckle . We operate in a regime allowing AL: i) weak disorder such that localization results from many quantum reflections of small amplitude; ii) atomic density small enough that interactions are negligible. We image directly the atomic density profiles vs time, and find that weak disorder can lead to the stopping of the expansion and to the formation of a stationary exponentially localized wave function, a direct signature of AL. Fitting the exponential wings, we extract the localization length, and compare it to theoretical calculations. Moreover we show that, in our one-dimensional speckle potentials whose noise spectrum has a high spatial frequency cut-off, exponential localization occurs only when the de Broglie wavelengths of the atoms in the expanding BEC are larger than an effective mobility edge corresponding to that cut-off. In the opposite case, we find that the density profiles decay algebraically, as predicted in [Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 210401 (2007)]. The method presented here can be extended to localization of atomic quantum gases in higher dimensions, and with controlled interactions.
We study numerically the character of electron eigenstates of the three dimensional disordered Anderson model. Analysis of the statistics of inverse participation ratio as well as numerical evaluation of the electron-hole correlation function confirm that there are no localized states below the mobility edge, as well as no metallic state in the tail of the conductive band. We discuss also finite size effects observed in the analysis of all the discussed quantities.
Anderson localization is studied for two-dimensional Dirac fermions in the presence of strong random scattering. Averaging with respect to the latter leads to a graphical representation of the correlation function with entangled random walks and three-vertices which connect three different types of propagators. This approach indicates Anderson localization along a semi-infinite line, where the localization length is inversely proportional to the scattering rate.
In this paper, we developed a new parametrization method to calculate the localization length in one-dimensional Anderson model with diagonal disorder. This method can avoid the divergence difficulty encountered in the conventional methods, and significantly save computing time as well.
1D diagonally disordered chain with Frenkel exciton and long range exponential intersite interaction is considered. It is shown that some states of this disordered system are delocalised (extended) contrary to the popular statement that all states in 1D disordered system are localised. The theorem is established that for the Anderson's model of diagonal disorder one should expect the appearance of states with extended module. All statements are confirmed by computer simulations.
We study the Anderson localization in nonlinear systems by taking a nonlinear transmission line realizing the Toda lattice. It is found that the randomness in inductance induces the Anderson localization in the voltage propagation. Furthermore, the nonlinearity enhances the Anderson localization. They are understood in terms of attractive interactions to form a soliton in a nonlinear system. Our results will be applicable in general to the Anderson localization in nonlinear systems that have solitons.
We develop a systematic typical medium dynamical cluster approximation that provides a proper description of the Anderson localization transition in three dimensions (3D). Our method successfully captures the localization phenomenon both in the low and large disorder regimes, and allows us to study the localization in different momenta cells, which renders the discovery that the Anderson localization transition occurs in a cell-selective fashion. As a function of cluster size, our method systematically recovers the re-entrance behavior of the mobility edge and obtains the correct critical diso…
We investigate, both experimentally and theoretically, possible routes towards Anderson-like localization of Bose-Einstein condensates in disordered potentials. The dependence of this quantum interference effect on the nonlinear interactions and the shape of the disorder potential is investigated. Experiments with an optical lattice and a superimposed disordered potential reveal the lack of Anderson localization. A theoretical analysis shows that this absence is due to the large length scale of the disorder potential as well as its screening by the nonlinear interactions. Further analysis show…
The role of disorder on wave propagation through the universe is studied. Assuming space fluctuations of the order of the Planck length and the size of the universe as the corresponding localization length for the background radiation, we obtain the exponent (close to unity) in the power law relationship between these quantities. This suggests that the role of Anderson localization is not negligible at cosmological scales.
Uncorrelated disorder potential in one-dimensional lattice definitely induces Anderson localization, while quasiperiodic potential can lead to both localized and extended phases, depending on the potential strength. We investigate the Anderson localization in one-dimensional lattice with nonHermitian complex disorder and quasiperiodic potential. We present a non-Hermitian SSH chain to demonstrate that a nonzero imaginary disorder on-site potential can induce the standard Anderson localization. We also show that the non-Hermitian Aubry-Andre (AA) model exhibits a transition in parameter space, …
We rigorously analyse the correspondence between the one-dimensional standard Anderson model and a related classical system, the `kicked oscillator' with noisy frequency. We show that the Anderson localization corresponds to a parametric instability of the oscillator, with the localization length determined by an increment of the exponential growth of the energy. Analytical expression for a weak disorder is obtained, which is valid both inside the energy band and at the band edge.
This paper details the investigation of the influence of different disorders in two-dimensional topological insulator systems. Unlike the phase transitions to topological Anderson insulator induced by normal Anderson disorder, a different physical picture arises when bond disorder is considered. Using Born approximation theory, an explanation is given as to why bond disorder plays a different role in phase transition than does Anderson disorder. By comparing phase diagrams, conductance, conductance fluctuations, and the localization length for systems with different types of disorder, a consis…
We calculated numerically the localization length of one-dimensional Anderson model with correlated diagonal disorder. For zero energy point in the weak disorder limit, we showed that the localization length changes continuously as the correlation of the disorder increases. We found that higher order terms of the correlation must be included into the current perturbation result in order to give the correct localization length, and to connect smoothly the anomaly at zero correlation with the perturbation result for large correlation.
We study the influence of scale-free correlated disorder on the metal-insulator transition in the Anderson model of localization. We use standard transfer matrix calculations and perform finite-size scaling of the largest inverse Lyapunov exponent to obtain the localization length for respective 3D tight-binding systems. The density of states is obtained from the full spectrum of eigenenergies of the Anderson Hamiltonian. We discuss the phase diagram of the metal-insulator transition and the influence of the correlated disorder on the critical exponents.
We describe a large disorder renormalization group (LDRG) method for the Anderson model of localization in one dimension which decimates eigenstates based on the size of their wavefunctions rather than their energy. We show that our LDRG scheme flows to infinite disorder, and thus becomes asymptotically exact. We use it to obtain the disorder-averaged inverse participation ratio and density of states for the entire spectrum. A modified scheme is formulated for higher dimensions, which is found to be less efficient, but capable of improvement.
Anderson model of noninteracting disordered electrons is studied in high spatial dimensions. We find that off-diagonal one- and two-particle propagators behave as gaussian random variables w.r.t. momentum summations. With this simplification and with the electron-hole symmetry we reduce the parquet equations for two-particle irreducible vertices to a single algebraic equation for a local vertex. We find a disorder-driven bifurcation point in this equation signalling vanishing of diffusion and onset of Anderson localization. There is no bifurcation in $d=1,2$ where all states are localized. A n…
The effect of focusing and defocusing nonlinearities on Anderson localization in highly nonlocal media is theoretically and numerically investigated. A perturbative approach is developed to solve the nonlocal nonlinear Schroedinger equation in the presence of a random potential, showing that nonlocality stabilizes Anderson states.
We observe a singularity in the electronic properties of the Anderson Model of Localization with bounded diagonal disorder, which is clearly distinct from the well-established mobility edge (localization-delocalization transition) that occurs in dimensions $d>2$. We present results of numerical calculations for Anderson's original (box) distribution of onsite disorder in dimensions $d$ = 1, 2 and 3. To establish this hitherto unreported behavior, and to understand its evolution with disorder, we contrast the behavior of two different measures of the localization length of the electronic wavefu…
We investigate the scaling properties of the two-dimensional (2D) Anderson model of localization with purely off-diagonal disorder (random hopping). In particular, we show that for small energies the infinite-size localization lengths as computed from transfer-matrix methods together with finite-size scaling diverge with a power-law behavior. The corresponding exponents seem to depend on the strength and the type of disorder chosen.
The article reviews the physics of Anderson localization on random regular graphs (RRG) and its connections to many-body localization (MBL) in disordered interacting systems. Properties of eigenstate and energy level correlations in delocalized and localized phases, as well at criticality, are discussed. In the many-body part, models with short-range and power-law interactions are considered, as well as the quantum-dot model representing the limit of the "most long-range" interaction. Central themes -- which are common to the RRG and MBL problems -- include ergodicity of the delocalized phase,…
Dimension 2 is expected to be the lower critical dimension for Anderson localization in a time reversal-invariant disordered quantum system. Using an atomic quasiperiodic kicked rotor -- equivalent to a two-dimensional Anderson-like model -- we experimentally study Anderson localization in dimension 2 and we observe localized wavefunction dynamics. We also show that the localization length depends exponentially on the disorder strength and anisotropy and is in quantitative agreement with the predictions of the self-consistent theory for the 2D Anderson localization.
We report the first experimental observation of strong multifractality in wave functions at the Anderson localization transition in open three-dimensional elastic networks. Our results confirm the recently predicted symmetry of the multifractal exponents. We have discovered that the result of multifractal analysis of the real data depends on the excitation scheme used in the experiment.
Although topological Anderson insulator has been predicted in 2009, the lasting investigations of this disorder established nontrivial state results in only two experimental observations in cold atoms [Science, {\bf 362 },929 (2018)] and in photonic crystals [Nature, {\bf 560}, 461 (2018)] recently. In this paper, we study the topological Anderson transition in electric circuits. By arranging capacitor and inductor network, we construct a disordered Haldane model. Specially, the disorder is introduced by the grounding inductors with random inductance. Based on non-commutative geometry method a…
The phase diagram of correlated, disordered electrons is calculated within dynamical mean--field theory using the geometrically averaged (''typical'') local density of states. Correlated metal, Mott insulator and Anderson insulator phases, as well as coexistence and crossover regimes are identified. The Mott and Anderson insulators are found to be continuously connected.
Dynamical localization phenomena of monochromatically perturbed standard map (SM) and Anderson map (AM), which are both identified with a two-dimensional disordered system under suitable conditions, are investigated by the numerical wavepacket propagation. Some phenomenological formula of the dynamical localization length valid for wide range of control parameters are proposed for both SM and AM. For SM the formula completely agree with the experimentally established formula, and for AM the presence of a new regime of localization is confirmed. These formula can be derived by the self-consiste…
The typical medium dynamical cluster approximation (TMDCA) is reformulated in the language of multiple scattering theory to make possible first principles calculations of the electronic structure of substitutionally disordered alloys including the effect of Anderson localization. The TMDCA allows for a systematic inclusion of non-local multi-site correlations and at same time provides an order parameter, the typical density of states, for the Anderson localization transition. The relation between the dynamical cluster approximation and the multiple scattering theory is analyzed, and is illustr…
We calculated numerically the localization length of one-dimensional Anderson model with diagonal disorder. For weak disorder, we showed that the localization length changes continuously as the energy changes from the band center to the boundary of the anomalous region near the band edge. We found that all the localization lengths for different disorder strengths and different energies collapse onto a single curve, which can be fitted by a simple equation. Thus the description of the perturbation theory and the band center anomaly were unified into this equation.
We examine the localization properties of the Anderson Hamiltonian with additional off-diagonal disorder using the transfer-matrix method and finite-size scaling. We compute the localization lengths and study the metal-insulator transition (MIT) as a function of diagonal disorder, as well as its energy dependence. Furthermore we investigate the different influence of odd and even system sizes on the localization properties in quasi one-dimensional systems. Applying the finite-size scaling approach in conjunction with a nonlinear fitting procedure yields the critical parameters of the MIT. In t…
We applied finite difference time domain (FDTD) algorithm to the study of field and intensity correlations in random media. Close to the onset of Anderson localization, we observe deviations of the correlation functions, in both shape and magnitude, from those predicted by the diffusion theory. Physical implications of the observed phenomena are discussed.
We study the counterpart of Anderson localization in driven one-electron Rydberg atoms. By changing the initial Rydberg state at fixed microwave frequency and interaction time, we numerically monitor the crossover from Anderson localization to the photo effect in the atomic ionization signal.
As discovered by Philip Anderson in 1958, strong disorder can block propagation of waves and lead to the localization of wave-like excitations in space. Anderson localization of light is particularly exciting in view of its possible applications for random lasing or quantum information processing. We show that, surprisingly, Anderson localization of light cannot be achieved in a random three-dimensional ensemble of point scattering centers that is the simplest and widespread model to study the multiple scattering of waves. Localization is recovered if the vector character of light is neglected…
Strongly correlated fermions in a crystal or in an optical lattice in the presence of binary alloy disorder are investigated. We employ the statistical dynamical mean-field theory, which incorporates both, local fluctuations due to disorder and local correlations due to interaction, to solve the Anderson-Hubbard model. Localization due to disorder is studied by means of the probability distribution function of the local density of states. We obtain a complete paramagnetic ground state phase diagram consisting of disordered correlated metal, Anderson-Mott insulator, and band insulator.
We consider the change in electron localization due to the presence of electron-electron repulsion in the \HA model. Taking into account local Mott-Hubbard physics and static screening of the disorder potential, the system is mapped onto an effective single-particle Anderson model, which is studied within the self-consistent theory of electron localization. We find rich nonmonotonic behavior of the localization length $ξ$ in two-dimensional systems, including an interaction-induced exponential enhancement of $ξ$ for small and intermediate disorders although $ξ$ remains finite. In three dimensi…
Our recently established criterion for the formation of extended states on tree graphs in the presence of disorder is shown to have the surprising implication that for bounded random potentials, as in the Anderson model, there is no transition to a spectral regime of Anderson localization, in the form usually envisioned, unless the disorder is strong enough.
We develop a real space cluster extension of the typical medium theory (cluster-TMT) to study Anderson localization. By construction, the cluster-TMT approach is formally equivalent to the real space cluster extension of the dynamical mean field theory. Applying the developed method to the 3D Anderson model with a box disorder distribution, we demonstrate that cluster-TMT successfully captures the localization phenomena in all disorder regimes. As a function of the cluster size, our method obtains the correct critical disorder strength for the Anderson localization in 3D, and systematically re…
We investigate the effect of spatially correlated disorder on the Anderson transition of phonons in three dimensions using a Greens function based approach, namely, the typical medium dynamical cluster approximation (TMDCA), in mass-disordered systems. We numerically demonstrate that correlated disorder with pairwise correlations mitigates the localization of the vibrational modes. A correlation driven localization-delocalization transition can emerge in a three-dimensional disordered system with an increase in the strength of correlations.
Numerical simulations show that, at the onset of Anderson localization, the momentum distribution of a coherent wave packet launched inside a random potential exhibits, in the forward direction, a novel interference peak that complements the coherent backscattering peak. An explanation of this phenomenon in terms of maximally crossed diagrams predicts that the signal emerges around the localization time and grows on the scale of the Heisenberg time associated with the localization volume. Together, coherent back and forward scattering provide evidence for the occurrence of Anderson localizatio…
We present a microscopic derivation of self-consistent equations of Anderson localization in a disordered medium of finite size. The derivation leads to a renormalized, position-dependent diffusion coefficient. The position dependence of the latter is due to the position dependence of return probability in a bounded medium.
Stochastic (Anderson) localization is the spatial localization of the wave-function of quantum particles in random media. We show, that a corresponding phenomenon can stabilize spatial solitons in optical resonators: spatial solitons in resonators with randomly distorted mirrors are more stable than in perfect mirror resonators. We demonstrate the phenomenon numerically, by investigating solitons in lasers with saturable absorber, and analytically by deriving and analyzing coupled equations of spatially coherent and incoherent field components.
The Anderson model for independent electrons in a disordered potential is transformed analytically and exactly to a basis of random extended states leading to a variant of augmented space. In addition to the widely-accepted phase diagrams in all physical dimensions, a plethora of additional, weaker Anderson transitions are found, characterized by the long-distance behavior of states. Critical disorders are found for Anderson transitions at which the asymptotically dominant sector of augmented space changes for all states at the same disorder. At fixed disorder, critical energies are also found…
Signatures of strong Anderson localization in the momentum distribution of a cold atom cloud after a quantum quench are studied. We consider a quasi one-dimensional cloud initially prepared in a well defined momentum state, and expanding for some time in a disorder speckle potential. Anderson localization leads to a formation of a coherence peak in the \emph{forward} scattering direction (as opposed to the common weak localization backscattering peak). We present a microscopic, and fully time resolved description of the phenomenon, covering the entire diffusion--to--localization crossover. Our…
We predict the quantum correlations between non-interacting particles evolving simultaneously in a disordered medium. While the particle density follows the single-particle dynamics and exhibits Anderson localization, the two-particle correlation develops unique features that depend on the quantum statistics of the particles and their initial separation. On short time scales, the localization of one particle becomes dependent on whether the other particle is localized or not. On long time scales, the localized particles show oscillatory correlations within the localization length. These effect…
Localization due to disorder has been one of the most intriguing theoretical concepts evolved in condensed matter. Here, we expand the theory of localization by considering two types of disorder at the same time, namely the original Anderson's disorder and the structural defect disorder, which has been suggested to be a key component in recently discovered two-dimensional amorphous materials. While increasing the degree of both disorders could induce localization of wavefunction in real space, we find that a small degree of structural defect disorder can significantly enhance the localization.…
The magnetic ground state phase diagram of the disordered Hubbard model at half-filling is computed in dynamical mean-field theory supplemented with the spin resolved, typical local density of states. The competition between many-body correlations and disorder is found to stabilize paramagnetic and antiferromagnetic metallic phases at weak interactions. Strong disorder leads to Anderson localization of the electrons and suppresses the antiferromagnetic long-range order. Slater and Heisenberg antiferromagnets respond characteristically different to disorder. The results can be tested with cold …
The Anderson metal-insulator transition is a continuous phase transition driven by disorder. It remains a challenging problem to theoretically determine universal critical properties at the transition. The Anderson transition in a model with a discrete sublattice or particle-hole symmetry belongs to one of seven universality classes which are different from the three well-known standard ones. Here we review our recent theoretical work on these new universality classes in (quasi) one and two dimensions.
In this note we show that, a simple combination of deep results in the theory of random Schrödinger operators yields a quantitative estimate of the fact that the localization centers become far apart, as corresponding energies are close together.
We explore single-particle Anderson localization due to nonrandom quasiperiodic potentials in two and three dimensions. We introduce a class of self-dual models that generalize the one-dimensional Aubry-André model to higher dimensions. In three dimensions (3D) we find that the Anderson localization transitions appear to be in the same universality class as for random potentials. In scaling or renormalization group terms, this means that randomness of the potential is irrelevant at the Anderson localization transitions in 3D. In two dimensions (2D) we also explore the Ando model, which is in t…
We study the Anderson orthogonality catastrophe (AOC) in finite conductors with diffusive disorder. The disorder averaged logarithm of $χ$, the overlap between the ground states before and after adding a static impurity, is found to depend nonmonotonically on the disorder. In two dimensions $<\lnχ^{-1}> \propto \ln^2 N$ in the weak disorder limit, thus showing a stronger dependence on the number of electrons $N$ than in the canonical AOC. A very broad tail of the distribution of $χ$, found numerically, is a signature of the importance of a few-level statistics at the Fermi energy.
We evaluate the localization length of the wave (or Schroedinger) equation in the presence of a disordered speckle potential. This is relevant for experiments on cold atoms in optical speckle potentials. We focus on the limit of large disorder, where the Born approximation breaks down and derive an expression valid in the "quasi-metallic" phase at large disorder. This phase becomes strongly localized and the effective mobility edge disappears.
We develop a self-consistent theoretical approach to the dynamics of Anderson localization in open three-dimensional (3D) disordered media. The approach allows us to study time-dependent transmission and reflection, and the distribution of decay rates of quasi-modes of 3D disordered slabs near the Anderson mobility edge.
A conducting 1D line or 2D plane inside (or on the surface of) an insulator is considered.Impurities displace the charges inside the insulator. This results in a long-range fluctuating electric field acting on the conducting line (plane). This field can be modeled by that of randomly distributed electric dipoles. This model provides a random correlated potential with <U(r)U(r+k)> decaying as 1/k . In the 1D case such correlations give essential corrections to the localization length but do not destroy Anderson localization.
Anderson localization has been a subject of intense studies for many years. In this context, we study numerically the influence of long-range correlated disorder on the localization behavior in one dimensional systems. We investigate the localization length and the density of states and compare our numerical results with analytical predictions. Specifically, we find two distinct characteristic behaviors in the vicinity of the band center and at the unperturbed band edge, respectively. Furthermore we address the effect of the intrinsic short-range correlations.
We explore the interplay of disorder and topological phenomena in honeycomb lattices of atoms coupled by the electromagnetic field. On the one hand, disorder can trigger transitions between distinct topological phases and drive the lattice into the topological Anderson insulator state. On the other hand, the nontrivial topology of the photonic band structure suppresses Anderson localization of modes that disorder introduces inside the band gap of the ideal lattice. Furthermore, we discover that disorder can both open a topological pseudogap in the spectrum of an otherwise topologically trivial…
Different disorders lead to various localization and topological phenomena in condensed matter and artificial systems. Here we study the topological and localization properties in one-dimensional Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model with spatially correlated random binary disorders. It is found that random binary disorders can induce the topological Anderson insulating phase from the trivial insulator in various parameter regions. The topological Anderson insulators are characterized by the disorder-averaged winding number and localized bulk states revealed by the inverse participation ratio in both rea…
Complete localization is shown to hold for the $d$-dimensional Anderson model with uniformly distributed random potentials provided the disorder strength $λ>λ_{And}$ where $λ_{\text{And}}$ satisfies $λ_{\text{And}}=μ_d e \ln λ_{\text{And}}$ with $μ_d$ the self-avoiding walk connective constant for the lattice $\mathbb{Z}^d$. Notably $λ_{\text{And}}$ is precisely the large disorder threshold proposed by Anderson in 1958.
We consider a local moment which is coupled by a non-random Kondo $J$ to a band of conduction electrons in a random potential. We prove an analog of Anderson's theorem in a large-N limit of this model. The theorem states that when the disorder is weak, the disorder-averaged low-temperature thermodynamics is independent of the strength of the disorder; remarkably, it further states that fluctuation effects in the long-time limit are {\it independent even of the realization of the disorder}. We discuss the relationship of this theorem to theoretical and experimental studies of similar problems.
