Three-dimensional localization of ultracold atoms in an optical disordered potential

In disordered media, quantum interference effects are expected to induce complete suppression of electron conduction. The phenomenon, known as Anderson localization, has a counterpart with classical waves that has been observed in acoustics, electromagnetism and optics, but a direct observation for...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature physics 2012-05, Vol.8 (5), p.398-403
Main Authors: Jendrzejewski, F., Bernard, A., Müller, K., Cheinet, P., Josse, V., Piraud, M., Pezzé, L., Sanchez-Palencia, L., Aspect, A., Bouyer, P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
639/766/119/2791
639/766/119/995
639/766/36/1125
Acoustics
Anderson localization
Atomic
Atoms & subatomic particles
Classical and Continuum Physics
Complex Systems
Condensed Matter
Condensed Matter Physics
Conductivity
Density
Disorders
Electrons
Energy
Localization
Mathematical and Computational Physics
Molecular
Optical and Plasma Physics
Optics
Other
Percolation
Physics
Physics and Astronomy
Position (location)
Quantum interference effects
Quantum physics
Theoretical
Three dimensional
Trapping
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Summary:In disordered media, quantum interference effects are expected to induce complete suppression of electron conduction. The phenomenon, known as Anderson localization, has a counterpart with classical waves that has been observed in acoustics, electromagnetism and optics, but a direct observation for particles remains elusive. Here, we report the observation of the three-dimensional localization of ultracold atoms in a disordered potential created by a speckle laser field. A phenomenological analysis of our data distinguishes a localized component of the resulting density profile from a diffusive component. The observed localization cannot be interpreted as the classical trapping of particles with energy below the classical percolation threshold in the disorder, nor can it be understood as quantum trapping in local potential minima. Instead, our data are compatible with the self-consistent theory of Anderson localization tailored to our system, involving a heuristic energy shift that offers scope for future interpretation. An experimental study of three-dimensional localization of ultracold atoms in controlled disorder provides evidence for behaviour that is consistent with Anderson localization, but incompatible with classical trapping.
ISSN:1745-2473
1745-2481
1476-4636
DOI:10.1038/nphys2256