134 research outputs found
Localization of a matter wave packet in a disordered potential
We theoretically study the Anderson localization of a matter wave packet in a
one-dimensional disordered potential. We develop an analytical model which
includes the initial phase-space density of the matter wave and the spectral
broadening induced by the disorder. Our approach predicts a behavior of the
localized density profile significantly more complex than a simple exponential
decay. These results are confirmed by large-scale and long-time numerical
calculations. They shed new light on recent experiments with ultracold atoms
and may impact their analysis
Engineering the spatial confinement of exciton-polaritons in semiconductors
We demonstrate the spatial confinement of electronic excitations in a solid
state system, within novel artificial structures that can be designed having
arbitrary dimensionality and shape. The excitations under study are
exciton-polaritons in a planar semiconductor microcavity. They are confined
within a micron-sized region through lateral trapping of their photon
component. Striking signatures of confined states of lower and upper polaritons
are found in angle-resolved light emission spectra, where a discrete energy
spectrum and broad angular patterns are present. A theoretical model supports
unambiguously our observations
Anderson Localization of Bogolyubov Quasiparticles in Interacting Bose-Einstein Condensates
We study the Anderson localization of Bogolyubov quasiparticles in an
interacting Bose-Einstein condensate (with healing length \xi) subjected to a
random potential (with finite correlation length \sigma_R). We derive
analytically the Lyapunov exponent as a function of the quasiparticle momentum
k and we study the localization maximum k_{max}. For 1D speckle potentials, we
find that k_{max} is proportional to 1/\xi when \xi is much larger than
\sigma_R while k_{max} is proportional to 1/\sigma_R when \xi is much smaller
than \sigma_R, and that the localization is strongest when \xi is of the order
of \sigma_R. Numerical calculations support our analysis and our estimates
indicate that the localization of the Bogolyubov quasiparticles is accessible
in current experiments with ultracold atoms.Comment: published version (no significant changes compared to last version
Diffusion and Localization of Cold Atoms in 3D Optical Speckle
In this work we re-formulate and solve the self-consistent theory for
localization to a Bose-Einstein condensate expanding in a 3D optical speckle.
The long-range nature of the fluctuations in the potential energy, treated in
the self-consistent Born approximation, make the scattering strongly velocity
dependent, and its consequences for mobility edge and fraction of localized
atoms have been investigated numerically.Comment: 8 pages, 11 figure
Finite temperature phase transition for disordered weakly interacting bosons in one dimension
It is commonly accepted that there are no phase transitions in
one-dimensional (1D) systems at a finite temperature, because long-range
correlations are destroyed by thermal fluctuations. Here we demonstrate that
the 1D gas of short-range interacting bosons in the presence of disorder can
undergo a finite temperature phase transition between two distinct states:
fluid and insulator. None of these states has long-range spatial correlations,
but this is a true albeit non-conventional phase transition because transport
properties are singular at the transition point. In the fluid phase the mass
transport is possible, whereas in the insulator phase it is completely blocked
even at finite temperatures. We thus reveal how the interaction between
disordered bosons influences their Anderson localization. This key question,
first raised for electrons in solids, is now crucial for the studies of atomic
bosons where recent experiments have demonstrated Anderson localization in
expanding very dilute quasi-1D clouds.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure
Localization of solitons: linear response of the mean-field ground state to weak external potentials
Two aspects of bright matter-wave solitons in weak external potentials are
discussed. First, we briefly review recent results on the Anderson localization
of an entire soliton in disordered potentials [Sacha et al. PRL 103, 210402
(2009)], as a paradigmatic showcase of genuine quantum dynamics beyond simple
perturbation theory. Second, we calculate the linear response of the mean-field
soliton shape to a weak, but otherwise arbitrary external potential, with a
detailed application to lattice potentials.Comment: Selected paper presented at the 2010 Spring Meeting of the Quantum
Optics and Photonics Section of the German Physical Society. V2: minor
changes, published versio
Localization from quantum interference 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.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures; minor changes, references update
Theory of superfluidity and drag force in the one-dimensional Bose gas
The one-dimensional Bose gas is an unusual superfluid. In contrast to higher
spatial dimensions, the existence of non-classical rotational inertia is not
directly linked to the dissipationless motion of infinitesimal impurities.
Recently, experimental tests with ultracold atoms have begun and quantitative
predictions for the drag force experienced by moving obstacles have become
available. This topical review discusses the drag force obtained from linear
response theory in relation to Landau's criterion of superfluidity. Based upon
improved analytical and numerical understanding of the dynamical structure
factor, results for different obstacle potentials are obtained, including
single impurities, optical lattices and random potentials generated from
speckle patterns. The dynamical breakdown of superfluidity in random potentials
is discussed in relation to Anderson localization and the predicted
superfluid-insulator transition in these systems.Comment: 17 pages, 12 figures, mini-review prepared for the special issue of
Frontiers of Physics "Recent Progresses on Quantum Dynamics of Ultracold
Atoms and Future Quantum Technologies", edited by Profs. Lee, Ueda, and
Drummon
Classical BSE prions emerge from asymptomatic pigs challenged with atypical/Nor98 scrapie
Pigs are susceptible to infection with the classical bovine spongiform encephalopathy (C-BSE) agent following experimental inoculation, and PrPSc accumulation was detected in porcine tissues after the inoculation of certain scrapie and chronic wasting disease isolates. However, a robust transmission barrier has been described in this species and, although they were exposed to C-BSE agent in many European countries, no cases of natural transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) infections have been reported in pigs. Transmission of atypical scrapie to bovinized mice resulted in the emergence of C-BSE prions. Here, we conducted a study to determine if pigs are susceptible to atypical scrapie. To this end, 12, 8–9-month-old minipigs were intracerebrally inoculated with two atypical scrapie sources. Animals were euthanized between 22- and 72-months post inoculation without clinical signs of TSE. All pigs tested negative for PrPSc accumulation by enzyme immunoassay, immunohistochemistry, western blotting and bioassay in porcine PrP mice. Surprisingly, in vitro protein misfolding cyclic amplification demonstrated the presence of C-BSE prions in different brain areas from seven pigs inoculated with both atypical scrapie isolates. Our results suggest that pigs exposed to atypical scrapie prions could become a reservoir for C-BSE and corroborate that C-BSE prions emerge during interspecies passage of atypical scrapie
Persistent currents in a Bose-Einstein condensate in the presence of disorder
We examine bosonic atoms that are confined in a toroidal,
quasi-one-dimensional trap, subjected to a random potential. The resulting
inhomogeneous atomic density is smoothened for sufficiently strong, repulsive
interatomic interactions. Statistical analysis of our simulations show that the
gas supports persistent currents, which become more fragile due to the
disorder.Comment: 5 pages, RevTex, 3 figures, revised version, to appear in JLT
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